Iran, world powers to keep talking, but no progress on a deal A faltering diplomatic effort to persuade Iran to curtail its nuclear program was salvaged Thursday by an agreement to hold further talks next month in Moscow, concluding two days of negotiations that exposed the difficulty of bridging the chasm between Tehran’s ambitions and the West’s demands. WP / BBC / AP / Reuters / FT

Moldova: 3 Sentenced in Nuclear Case A Moldovan court sentenced three people on Thursday for their part in illegal trafficking of uranium-235, which can be used in making nuclear weapons. Reuters

Chinese man arrested in US for illegal nuclear-related exports A Chinese national has been arrested and charged with illegally exporting to China American-origin parts used to produce weapons-grade uranium in violation of export laws, the Justice Department said today. PTI

Armenia to Get U.S. Aid Against WMD Smuggling A bilateral deal finalized on Tuesday provides for U.S. assistance to efforts by Armenia to curb smuggling of weapons of mass destruction and related materials through its territory, the ARMINFO News Agency reported. GSN

Fuel cycle ‘study meeting’ decried by recycling foes The Japan Atomic Energy Commission distributed a report on policy options for maintaining the nuclear fuel cycle to a group of fuel recycling proponents before it had even discussed the draft, it was learned Thursday. Japan Times

Three-quarters of Japanese firms oppose nuclear power Nearly three-quarters of Japanese companies support abandoning nuclear power after last year’s Fukushima disaster, although a majority set the condition that alternative energy resources must be secured, a Reuters poll showed on Friday. Reuters

Russia Joins International Nuclear-Power Agency Russia’s accession to the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) has been finalized at a ceremony at the organization’s Paris headquarters. Radio Free Europe

Atomic Energy Authority of Sri Lanka to conduct seminar on radiation safety The Atomic Energy Authority (AEA) of Sri Lanka is to hold a seminar on radiation safety on June 1st. Colombo

Opinion and Analysis

N. Korea’s nuclear test would be ‘different, bigger’: ex-U.S. envoy Yonhap

Hard lessons for U.S. nuclear safety from Fukushima meltdown CNN

IAEA experts issue recommendations on Jordan’s nuclear law Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have recommended the inclusion of all the Kingdom’s obligations related to nuclear safety, which are derived from agreements signed with the IAEA, in the provisions of the nuclear law. Jordan Times

Other Nuclear News

Iran nuclear talks extended to second, extra day Talks in Baghdad on Iran’s nuclear programme have gone into a second day unscheduled after diplomats failed to reach agreement. BBC / NYT / Guardian / AP / AFP / Reuters

Russia says Iran ready to discuss nuclear gestures Russia said on Wednesday Iran appears ready to agree specific steps to end a standoff over its nuclear program but warned that additional U.S. sanctions would undermine efforts to ensure Tehran does not develop atomic weapons. Reuters

Israel: Iran deal doesn’t rule out possible strike Israel’s defense minister says Iran’s preliminary agreement to open its nuclear facilities to U.N. inspectors doesn’t rule out a possible Israeli military strike. AP

Seoul warns Pyongyang of ‘grave consequences’ from nuclear test South Korea on Thursday warned North Korea of “grave consequences” and new international sanctions if the North goes ahead with a nuclear test, with Seoul officials assuming that Pyongyang is technically ready to conduct a third nuclear test. Yonhap

Pyongyang denies intention to conduct nuclear test The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) had no plan to conduct nuclear tests alongside its peaceful satellite development program, the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday. Xinhua

US officials ‘flew to N.Korea’ before rocket launch Two senior US officials made a secret visit to North Korea last month in an apparent attempt to persuade it to cancel an upcoming long-range rocket launch, according to a South Korean report. AFP

Germany aims for stronger grip on switchover from nuclear to renewable energy The German government will more closely oversee the country’s move from nuclear power to renewable energy, Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday – a mammoth 10-year project for Europe’s biggest economy that has been going slowly so far. WP / Reuters / AP

WHO releases mixed Fukushima radiation report Spikes in radiation caused by the Fukushima nuclear accident were below cancer-causing levels in almost all of Japan and neighboring countries had levels similar to normal background radiation, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday. Reuters

Only 2 towns support restart of Oi nuclear plant in Fukui Only two of the 11 municipalities within a 30-kilometer radius of Kansai Electric Power Co.’s Oi nuclear plant in Fukui Prefecture are supporting the restart of it, according to a recent Kyodo News poll. Kyodo

Embattled NRC chief downplays exit plan The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s outgoing Chairman Gregory Jaczko wasn’t inclined to discuss his resignation plans Wednesday. Politico

Russia Tests New Missile to Counter U.S. Shield Russia’s military reported a successful test on Wednesday of a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile that generals said was designed to overpower the American missile defense system. NYT

Former nuclear testing tower demolished in Nevada desert It took less than 10 seconds to bring a steel, 345-ton relic of the Cold War era crashing to the ground in the Nevada desert Wednesday. The 1,527-foot-tall BREN tower was the tallest free-standing structure west of the Mississippi River. CNN

Opinion and Analysis

Nuclear weapons just don’t make sense WP

Guido Westerwelle: ‘Disarmament means increasing security’ DW

IAEA chief says nears deal with Iran ahead of 6-power talks The U.N. nuclear watchdog director said on Tuesday he expected to sign a deal with Iran soon to unblock an investigation into suspected work on atom bombs, potentially brightening prospects for big-power talks with Tehran to stop a drift toward conflict. Reuters / NYT / WP / FNA

Other Nuclear News

Global Powers and Iran Meet in Baghdad Six global powers including the United States were set to resume negotiations with Iran here on Wednesday a day after Tehran signaled willingness to allow potentially intrusive international inspections of secret military facilities, raising expectations that it was searching for a diplomatic solution to the standoff over its nuclear program. NYT / CNN / AP / Reuters / Bloomberg / Tehran Times

Iran says supplies home-made fuel to nuclear reactor Iran said on Tuesday it had delivered two batches of domestically made nuclear fuel to a research reactor in an apparent attempt to trumpet nuclear advances before negotiations with six world powers on Wednesday. Reuters / ISNA

N.Korea to boost nuclear deterrent after U.S. pressure North Korea intensified its war of words against the United States on Tuesday, vowing to strengthen its nuclear deterrent after Washington warned Pyongyang of further sanctions if it did not abandon its atomic programme. Reuters / NYT / Guardian

US seeks China’s nod for sanctions against DPRK Glyn Davies, US special envoy for Democratic People’s Republic of Korea policy, emphasized a need for sanctions against the DPRK during meetings with Chinese officials on Tuesday. China Daily

5.8-Magnitude Quake in Sofia Was Nearly Undetectable at Kozloduy NPP The 5.8-magnitude earthquake that shook Sofia in the small hours of Tuesday was nearly undetectable at the Kozloduy NPP in northwestern Bulgaria, according to Valentin Nikolov, CEO of the plant. Novinite

Japanese Boost Nuclear Submarine Reactor Disposal Seventy reactors from decommissioned nuclear submarines are scheduled for disposal in Russia’s Far Eastern Primorye Territory by 2020, the regional Legislative Assembly has reported. RIA Novosti

Pak speeding up 4th nuclear reactor work Pakistan is half way through the construction of its fourth nuclear reactor at Khushab, which will give it capability to speed up plutonium manufacturing, latest US satellite imagery has revealed. The News

Britain Says It Will Add Reactors for Energy Britain announced plans Tuesday to finance a new generation of nuclear power plants and renewable energy facilities, in a move that illustrates the differences in energy policies among European Union countries as the bloc grapples with the challenge of reconciling economic and environmental objectives. NYT

UK proposes energy market overhaul to boost nuclear Britain unveiled a draft energy law on Tuesday aiming to plug a looming energy gap with &pound110 billion ($174 billion, 136 billion euros) of investment in nuclear and renewable energy over a decade. AFP

India not to compromise on safety of nuclear power plants: PM Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday reiterated the need for nuclear power but said the country will not compromise on the safety of atomic plants. XNA

Opinion and Analysis

Iran Viewpoint: The Baghdad Nuclear Talks: Accepting Principles, Bargaining Interests Eurasia Review

How to Avoid a War With Iran FP

Obama’s preference for talks with Iran faces test in Baghdad, amid election pressure at home AP

An underwhelming approach to Iran’s nuclear ambitions WP

No alternative to nuclear power Independent

U.N. Nuclear Monitor Strikes Deal with Iran, Reports Say International Atomic Energy Agency chief Yukiya Amano hailed “intensive” talks on Iran’s nuclear programme during a visit to Tehran on Monday, state television said, but no progress was made on key inspection issues. NYT / AP / Reuters / Bloomberg

Other Nuclear News

Senior U.S. envoy warns DPRK against new nuclear test The top U.S. official for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Monday warned Pyongyang against “further miscalculation” amid fears of a new nuclear test. Xinhua / NYT / AP / CNN

Japan to control up to 76% of TEPCO voting rights TEPCO said Monday the Japanese government will control up to three-quarters of the voting rights at the embattled nuclear plant operator after a massive injection of public funds. AFP / Bloomberg

Head of US nuclear safety agency to step down The embattled chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission resigned Monday after a tumultuous three-year tenure in which he pushed for sweeping safety reforms but came under fire for an unyielding management style that fellow commissioners and agency employees described as bullying. AP / WNN / Guardian / AFP

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project moves closer to productivity as reactor pressure vessel unsealed In a crucial move in the commissioning of the first 1000 MW reactor of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP), the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) was unsealed on Monday to facilitate the removal of dummy fuel rods and load enriched uranium fuel assemblies. TNN

New nuclear projects ready to power ahead China is expected to resume the expansion of its nuclear power sector next month, with many plans reaching the final approval stage, according to Xu Yuming, deputy secretary-general of the China Nuclear Energy Association. China Daily

NW China to build radiation monitoring stations Northwest China’s Gansu province, home to the country’s earliest nuclear base, plans to build more than 30 radiation monitoring stations in the following five years, local authorities announced on Saturday. Xinhua

Nuclear reactor reprieve puts UK energy plans in doubt Office for Nuclear Regulation in talks to extend life of aging power stations earmarked for closure Guardian

Opinion and Analysis

Iran nuclear talks step in Iraq’s re-emergence AFP

What does Iran want from nuclear talks? CNN

Solar, wind power unlikely to become alternative to atomic energy – expert Power Engineering

UN nuclear chief ‘positive’ over Iran talks International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Yukiya Amano arrived in Tehran early Monday for nuclear talks with Iranian officials including Tehran’s chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili. Tehran Times / Reuters / NYT / BBC / AP / Bloomberg / CNN / Xinhua / PressTV

Other Nuclear News

Iran MPs urge respect of ‘rights’ in nuclear talks A majority of Iranian lawmakers on Sunday urged world powers to respect Iran’s “rights” in crucial talks next week in Baghdad over Tehran’s disputed nuclear programme. AFP

Baghdad talks can help resolve nuke dispute China said Monday that talks scheduled for later this week in Baghdad can help resolve the Iranian nuclear dispute as well as promote peace and stability in the region. Xinhua

Russia says West still considering military action on Iran Russia’s deputy foreign minister said on Sunday that military action against Iran over its nuclear program was being considered in some Western countries. Reuters

North Korea nuclear test feared Senior US, South Korean and Japanese officials are holding talks on North Korea and other issues amid concerns the communist state may be planning another nuclear test. Sky News

Support for Japan PM remains low over nuclear safety Only about one in every four voters support Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, a newspaper survey showed on Monday, as many disapprove of the government’s nuclear safety policy and oppose its plan to double the sales tax. Reuters

NATO’s Missile Shield to Keep Nations’ Nuclear Weapons France and the U.K. will get NATO’s assurance that the European missile defense shield isn’t intended to take the place of their nuclear weapons, according to a European official with knowledge of the discussions. Bloomberg

Nuclear deal with Pakistan not possible: Australian HC Australian High Commissioner Tim George on Thursday said nuclear deal similar to Australian-Indo nuclear agreement was not possible with Pakistan. Business Recorder

Nigeria to be nuclear free The Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Agency, NNRA, must speed up work on the challenge of freeing the country of ionizing nuclear material, the Senate announced over the weekend. Daily Times.ng

Turkey To Send 600 Students To Moscow for Nuclear Training Six hundred Turkish students will be sent to Russia to train for employment at the planned Turkish nuclear power plant located at Mersin-Akkuyu as part of a government-funded project. Al-Monitor

Environmental group slams Kent nuclear waste bunker proposal A proposal to build a nuclear waste bunker in Kent has been criticised by an environmental group. BBC

Power shift begins to move German industry Germany’s third largest aluminium producer has filed for bankruptcy as trade groups call for affordable power supply equivalent to the nuclear capacity taken off the grid as a response to the Fukushima accident. WNN

Opinion and Analysis

The Goldilocks Arsenal: How many nukes is the “just right” amount? FP

Technical concerns: Why Russia worries about missile defense BOAS

Iran and nuclear weapons: Sticks now, carrots later Economist

Has North Korea Now Crossed China, Too? NYT

After 50 year search, research team finds plutonium signature Phys.org

Why Europe still needs nuclear deterrence Jordan Times

Beijing Urges Continued Talks between Iran, IAEA to Settle Outstanding Issues The Chinese foreign ministry underlined the peaceful settlement of Iran’s nuclear standoff with the West, and called on Tehran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to continue their talks to settle their outstanding issues of difference. FNA / IRNA / PressTV

Other Nuclear News

Iran Nuclear Talks: Tehran Warns West Against Pressure Strategy Iran’s top nuclear negotiator said Thursday his country is seeking “cooperation” from world powers in next week’s nuclear talks in Baghdad and warned against pressure by the West. AP / Xinhua

Saeed Jalili: If Given Fuel, Perhaps Iran would Have Suspended Nuclear Activity If back then Iran would have been given the 20 percent enriched fuel, the country probably would not be pursuing the enrichment of fuel itself, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili said at the first national “Economic Resistance” conference in Tehran, IRINN reported live. Trend.az

Plans to strike Iran “ready,” says U.S. Israel envoy U.S. plans for a possible military strike on Iran are ready and the option is “fully available”, the U.S. ambassador to Israel said, days before Tehran resumes talks with world powers which suspect it of seeking to develop nuclear arms. Reuters

Exclusive: China pushes North Korea to drop nuclear test plan: sources China has been quietly and gently pressuring North Korea to scrap plans for a third nuclear test, said two sources with knowledge of closed-door discussions between the countries, but there is no indication how the North will react. Reuters

US denies tactical nuke redeployment in Korea The U.S. government confirmed Monday that it has no plans to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in South Korea. It is the first official denial from the Obama administration concerning the issue after Republicans from the House of Representatives called for “redeploying tactical nuclear weapons to the Western Pacific region.” Korea Times

US Nuclear Weapons Upgrades: Experts Report Massive Cost Increase The cost of modernizing US nuclear weapons, including those stationed in Germany, has risen sharply, according to estimates. Spiegel Online

Radioactive fuel from Uzbekistan to be utilised in Russia Russia signed an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in importing irradiated nuclear fuel from research reactors into Russia, a government source of Uzbekistan told Trend. Trend.az

Taiwan probes wire purchases for nuclear plant Taiwanese investigators acting on tip-offs have launched an anti-graft probe into engineering and procurement staff with an under-construction power plant for green-lighting the purchase of wires and equipment offering little or no radiation protection. Xinhua

Opinion and Analysis

The Challenge for NATO in Chicago NYT

Triad And True: Nuclear-War War Time

Hopes grow of a confidence-building deal on Iranian nuclear programme Guardian

Libya: IAEA ready to help Libya in nuclear security The Director of the nuclear security department at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mr M’rabit Khammar, on Tuesday declared the organization’s readiness to help Libya in the field of nuclear security. Pana

Fourteen African Scientists Learn About Cassava Breeding An initiative of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) in collaboration with Africa Regional Cooperative Agreement (AFRA) the event is dubbed “Advanced plant tissue culture techniques applied to micro-propagation and in-vitro mutagenesis for cassava improvement.” Ghanaian Times

Other Nuclear News

Iran official linked to past program – U.S. nuclear expert Communications from the 1990s suggest Iran’s current foreign minister, Ali Akbar Salehi, had knowledge of a program to procure goods for an alleged clandestine nuclear program when he was head of a university, a U.S. nuclear expert said on Tuesday. Reuters

Iran nuclear output seen steady before Baghdad talks Iran is installing more centrifuges in an underground plant but does not yet appear to be using them to expand higher-grade uranium enrichment that could take it closer to producing atom bomb material, Western diplomats say. Reuters

Senate to consider new Iran sanctions on Thursday Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid will ask the chamber to approve a new package of oil and economic sanctions on Thursday aimed at further pressuring Iran to abandon its nuclear program, a Democratic leadership aide told Reuters.. Reuters

North Korea ‘resumes work’ on light water reactor North Korea has resumed work on a light water reactor that could be used to support its nuclear programme after ”months of inactivity”, a United States institute says. BBC / AFP / NYT

Nuclear security issues discussed in St. Petersburg Kazakh Parliamentarians chaired by the Kazakh Chairman of the Majilis Nurlan Nigmatullin took part in the Council of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS states was held in St. Petersburg, the press service of the Majilis reported. Gazeta.kz

Fukushima hospital finds 99 percent of young children below minimum cesium level Tests in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture, have shown that 99.2 percent of tested children junior-high school age or younger and 90.1 percent of tested people high school age or older were below the minimum level for radioactive cesium. Mainichi

China May Approve Nuclear Plan Next Month, Official Says China’s state council, or Cabinet, will probably hold a meeting before the end of June to approve safety and development plans for the nuclear industry, according to Xu Yuming, the vice secretary general of the China Nuclear Energy Association. Bloomberg

US Department of Energy announces Paducah plant will enrich uranium for nuclear reactors The Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant will continue operating for another year and preserve 1,200 jobs, at least temporarily, under a deal announced Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Energy. AP

Kodak confirms it had weapons-grade uranium in underground lab Kodak — the company known for decades for its cameras and film — this week confirmed it used weapons-grade uranium in an underground lab in upstate New York for upwards of 30 years. CNN

Opinion and Analysis

Towards a more disarmed world FT

Undercurrent of discord at nuclear treaty talks Star

Over and Out for Japan’s Nuclear Industry? IBT

Missile Defense Is Self-Defense WSJ

A Loop contest: Where to put anti-missile missiles? WP

IAEA, Iran to meet again Monday after two days of talks The United Nations nuclear watchdog and Iran will meet again next week after a “good exchange of views” during two days of talks on the Islamic state’s atomic program, a senior U.N. official said on Tuesday. Reuters / BBC / AFP / Tehran Times / FNA

Nuclear engineers gather for Utah conference Scientists and engineers from 37 countries gathered Monday at a Salt Lake City conference to discuss how to extend the life of nuclear power plants worldwide. … “There is a need to urgently respond to public confidence” in nuclear power, said Alexander Bychkov, deputy director general for the International Atomic Energy Agency and head of its department of nuclear energy. Bloomberg

Other Nuclear News

Iran’s Activity ‘Inconsistent with Peaceful Program’ Some of Iran’s activities are not consistent with peaceful research, the U.S. State Department said. RIA Novosti

Russia Against New Iran Sanctions Russia remains opposed to new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program and is not considering them at present, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said on Monday. RIA Novosti

Former Commander of U.S. Nuclear Forces Calls for Large Cut in Warheads Gen. James E. Cartwright, the retired vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a former commander of the United States’ nuclear forces, is adding his voice to those who are calling for a drastic reduction in the number of nuclear warheads below the levels set by agreements with Russia. NYT

China reacts to US nuclear amendment Beijing urged more effort from parties concerned with contributing to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula as a response to Washington’s recent consideration over redeploying nuclear weapons in the Republic of Korea, according to a news release from the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday. China Daily

Cesium spikes in Tokyo Bay samples Sludge samples taken at the mouths of two major rivers emptying into Tokyo Bay showed radioactive cesium contamination linked to the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant crisis grew by 1.5 to 13 times since August, a researcher at Kinki University said Monday. Japan Times

Japan’s TEPCO posts $9.76 bn full-year net loss TEPCO, the operator of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant on Japan’s northeast coast, posted a bigger-than-expected annual loss of $9.67 billion on Monday and warned of tough times ahead AFP / WNN

Japan town approves nuclear reactor restart Japan on Monday took a step towards becoming a nuclear nation again, when councillors in a town that hosts a power station recommended reactor restarts amid fears of a looming summer electricity crunch. AFP

S.Korea nuclear contractor jailed for parts scam A South Korean businessman has been jailed for three years for supplying potentially defective parts to the country’s oldest atomic power plant, a court spokesman said Wednesday. AFP

India is no Japan; will not compromise on nuclear safety:PM Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said his government was committed to ensuring foolproof security of nuclear power plants but it would be harmful for the country to pass an ordinance against nuclear power. IANS

Milestones at new Russian reactors Construction of new nuclear power plants in Russia is advancing, with Kalinin 4 entering trial commercial operation and completion of the installation of the dome of the containment building at Novovoronezh Phase II unit 1. WNN

Cameco to buy Nukem Energy Canada-based uranium producer Cameco Corporation has agreed to acquire German trader and broker of nuclear fuel products and services Nukem Energy GmbH from Advent International. WNN

Areva, Mitsubishi explore Australia together France’s Areva is teaming up with Japan’s Mitsubishi to explore for uranium in Australia. The move could lead to the formation of a joint venture, should promising deposits be identified. WNN

A new look at prolonged radiation exposure A new study from MIT scientists suggests that the guidelines governments use to determine when to evacuate people following a nuclear accident may be too conservative. MIT News

Opinion and Analysis

Iran’s tough nuclear stance masks struggles at top AP

Timing of Nuclear Claim Puts Tehran on the Spot NYT

NATO, Russia and Tactical Nuclear Arms NYT

End region’s Cold War structure China Daily

India-Pakistan and the bomb Daily Times

North Korean nuclear program still high on the agenda Voice of Russia

Iran, UN nuclear agency head for key Vienna talks Iran is set to meet UN nuclear agency officials on Monday for the first time in three months, with world powers watching closely for clues on Tehran’s stance ahead of their upcoming Baghdad talks. AFP / CNTV

IAEA Inaugurates High-Precision Spectrometer The International Atomic Energy Agency brought a new machine online May 2 — a high-precision mass spectrometer introduced as part of a multi-year project to modernize the safeguards analytical capabilities and purchased with financial assistance from the Federal Republic of Germany. OHS

Other Nuclear News

Iran says pressures may damage nuclear talks Iran warned Western powers on Sunday that applying pressure on Tehran could jeopardize talks on its nuclear programme, state television reported. Reuters / AFP / PressTV / FNA

Nuclear Negotiator Seeks ‘Beginnings of the End’ of Iran Dispute The lead negotiator for the six-nation group bargaining with Iran over its contentious uranium enrichment program said Friday that she hoped to achieve “the beginnings of the end” of the dispute at the next meeting, to be held in Baghdad on May 23. NYT

Exiles: Iran advancing active nuclear arms programme An exiled Iranian opposition group said on Saturday that Iran has some 60 scientists and engineers involved in a concerted and expanding programme to develop nuclear weapons under defence ministry auspices. Reuters

Iran to retain absolute nuclear rights Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reiterated Iran’s resolution to retain its absolute nuclear rights, the State IRIB TV website reported on Sunday. Xinhua

Drawing shows Iran has nuclear-arms test chamber A drawing based on information from inside an Iranian military site shows an explosives containment chamber of the type needed for nuclear arms-related tests that U.N. inspectors suspect Tehran has conducted there. AP

Leaders read the riot act to North Korea over nuclear tests China, Japan and South Korea have warned North Korea they will not tolerate further nuclear tests, the South Korean President said yesterday, amid fears that Pyongyang is preparing a third atomic blast. AFP / PTI / RIA Novosti

Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Authority seeks funds to set up a nuclear emergency response programme Sri Lanka’s Atomic Energy Authority (AEA) has commenced an emergency response programme with the Disaster Management Ministry in the event of a nuclear disaster. Colombo Page

New Romanian PM keen to expand nuclear plant New Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta said Sunday that he backed building two more nuclear reactors to ensure the nation’s energy independence, though four of six investors have pulled out. AFP

Spanish government starts turnaround Moves to partially revoke an order to close the Garona nuclear power plant in 2013 have formally begun. WNN

Opinion and Analysis

House pushes Obama administration to consider tactical nukes in South Korea FP

The Politics of Reduction BOAS

Time for US to normalize ties with Pyongyang China Daily

The safest way for plutonium disposal The Hindu

UAE calls for more to sign nuclear safety treaty The UAE has urged more countries to sign up to a nuclear convention committing them to international standards of safety. …The convention was drawn up by the International Atomic Energy Agency in 1994 and is designed to promote higher safety levels through regular meetings and a system of peer review. National

Other Nuclear News

North Korea to bolster nuclear deterrent at any cost North Korea said Thursday it would strengthen its nuclear deterrent and other defences regardless of cost, amid fears it is preparing for another atomic weapons test. AFP / AP

Vienna nuclear reactor needs more fuel The nuclear reactor of the Vienna University of Technology needs to get new fuel rods. Austrian Times

Zimbabwe: Zimra Upgrades Security to Curb Smuggling The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority is working on a raft of security measures to curb smuggling of illicit drugs and introduce mechanisms to prevent radioactive material from entering the country. Herald

Opinion and Analysis

FMCT & Pak minimum stockpiles Pakistan Observer

Global Nuclear Retreat? Armenia, Others Aim to Keep Plants Alive National Geographic

Nato plans to upgrade nuclear weapons ‘expensive and unnecessary’ Guardian

Iran nuclear talks: Are sanctions on the table? CSM

Senior MP Urges Return of Iran’s N. Case to IAEA Rapporteur of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Kazzem Jalali underlined that Iran’s nuclear dossier needs to be referred to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from the UN Security Council. FNA

Other Nuclear News

New activity evident at Iranian site suspected of nuclear weapons research: U.S. think tank New commercial satellite imagery of an Iranian military site that has remained off limits to international nuclear inspectors shows recent activity that suggests the Iranians have tried to clean up a suspected explosives testing chamber there, a group that tracks nuclear proliferation said Wednesday. NYT / Reuters

Israel: Iran Must Commit to Stop All Enrichment Israel on Wednesday accused Iran of stalling in negotiations over its nuclear program with the international community, and said an upcoming round of talks can succeed only if the Iranians agree to halt all uranium enrichment. AP

Iran Raps Israel’s Refusal to Join NPT as Main Deterrent to Global Denuclearization Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi lashed out at Israel for refusing to join the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and called the regime’s stubbornness as the main obstacle to the global exercise of the NPT. FNA

Iran’s IAEA envoy calls for review of NPT mechanisms The Iranian ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called for a review of mechanisms within the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to prevent any damage on member states. PressTV

Japan to Take Over Tepco After Fukushima Disaster Tokyo Electric Power Co, Japan’s biggest utility and the owner of the devastated Fukushima nuclear plant, will be taken over by the government after the country’s trade minister on Wednesday approved a $12.5 billion capital injection. Reuters / WP

Brazil abandons plans to build new nuclear power stations Brazil said Wednesday it has shelved plans to build new nuclear power stations in the coming years in the wake of last year’s Fukushima disaster in Japan. AFP / SPA

Lithuania nuclear power plant to cost up to 7 bln euros Lithuania’s government gave its final approval to several plans aimed at reducing its dependency on Russian energy sources on Wednesday, including a new nuclear power plant which it said could cost up to 7 billion euros ($9.10 billion). Reuters / AFP

Poland to pick nuclear technology this year -minister Poland, one of only a handful of European nations still pursuing plans to build nuclear power plants, will select the provider of the technology for its first facility this year and hopes it will start operating in 2023, a government official said. Reuters

ATMEA1 Reactor Is Fitting Local Needs JAEC (Jordan Atomic Energy Commission) has completed its evaluation to select a technology in order to build the first nuclear reactor in Jordan. SPX

S. Africa has opportunity for nuclear entrepreneurs Power-starved South Africa plans to increase its nuclear reactor capacity, and energy companies around the world are lining up to bid for contracts. AP

Opinion and Analysis

Nuclear proliferation: Time to bury plutonium Nature

The little nukes that got away — again FP

U.N. nuclear inspector killed in Iran car crash A U.N. nuclear inspector from South Korea was killed and a colleague was injured in a car crash Tuesday near a reactor site in central Iran, state media and the nuclear watchdog agency said. AP / Reuters / CNN / Guardian

Other Nuclear News

Mideast nuclear conference in jeopardy Hopes dimmed Tuesday for staging major nuclear talks later this year between Israel and its Muslim rivals, as Iran and Arab countries at a 189-nation conference accused Israel of being the greatest threat to peace in the region and Egypt warned that Arab states might rethink their opposition to atomic arms. AP / Reuters

Iran complains of nuclear double standards World powers should focus on scrapping nuclear weapons and abiding by their own non-proliferation commitments rather than speculating about Iran’s peaceful atomic work, the Iranian foreign ministry said on Tuesday. Reuters

Iran Will Soon Announce Date for Official Launch of Bushehr Power Plant Iran said it would soon set a date for the official launch of Bushehr nuclear power plant at maximum power capacity. FNA / Xinhua

Japan gov’t proposes postponing decision on nuclear fuel cycle policy The government proposed Tuesday to a subpanel of the Japan Atomic Energy Commission carrying over a policy decision on the country’s nuclear fuel cycle or temporarily suspending the operation of the used nuclear fuel reprocessing plant in northeastern Japan, officials said. Kyodo

Government to invest Rs 36.91 billion on nuclear power Pakistan Government is considering an investment option, according to which Rs36.91 billion will be allocated to the development of nuclear power in the next financial year 2012-13 in a bid to start work on several new plants in the country. News Pakistan

Saudi targets 17GW of nuclear power by 2032 Saudi Arabia should build 17 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power plant capacity by 2032 plus 4 GW of geothermal and waste-to-energy capacity, enough to meet about a sixth of its expected peak demand, a senior official said on Tuesday. Reuters

Opinion and Analysis

63% of Japanese citizens say ‘no’ to restarting of Oi nuclear reactors: Mainichi poll Mainichi

Don’t forget India’s nukes LATimes

Iran the Knotty Issue in US-India Relations Jakarta Post

Israel and Iran: What if? Global Post

Cancer probe at last Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan yesterday said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will be re-contacted in a matter of weeks to conduct a formal accident report into the allegations of radiation overexposure at the Brian Lara Cancer Treatment Centre. Trinidad Express / CNews

New Rearing System May Aid Sterile Insect Technique Against Mosquitoes The requirement for efficient mosquito mass-rearing technology has been one of the major obstacles preventing the large scale application of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) against mosquitoes. Science Daily

Other Nuclear News

US, EU urge Iran to ease world nuclear concerns The United States and Europe urged Iran on Monday to use upcoming talks with world powers to ease international worry that it may be aiming to develop nuclear arms, but Tehran said such concerns were based on “fake evidence” concocted to cause it political and economic harm. AP / Reuters / NYT

Baird says Iran could build nuclear bomb within months Iran could build a nuclear bomb within months if it decides to weaponize its atomic enrichment program, according to Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird. CBCNews

Clinton arrives in India, urges cooperation on Iran Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton arrived in India’s capital Monday with a clear message for the country’s leaders: Cooperate with us on Iran. WP / AP

Italy relives militancy fears with nuclear boss shooting A gunman shot and wounded the head of an Italian nuclear energy company on Monday in an incident reminiscent of militant attacks in the 1970s, with police saying anarchists could be responsible. AFP / BBC

Gov’t to decide whether to keep reprocessing spent nuclear fuel The government plans to decide within several years whether to continue processing spent nuclear fuel to extract plutonium, government officials said Monday. Kyodo

Canada to host international nuclear terrorism simulation in Toronto Canada to showcase its interdepartmental response to a downtown Toronto attack to emergency management and national security officials from around the world, says Foreign Affairs. Embassy

Opinion and Analysis

Ending reliance on nuclear power Japan Times

The Fukushima nuclear plant’s slow recovery offers lessons to the US Guardian

N. Korean nuclear weapons: How real is the threat? AP

Nuclear Energy Won’t Die Forbes

Access to Iran army site “priority” in talks: IAEA Gaining access to a key Iranian military facility will be the priority for the U.N. nuclear watchdog when it resumes talks with the Islamic state in mid-May, agency head Yukiya Amano said on Friday. Reuters

Other Nuclear News

Non-nuclear states lobby big powers to disarm faster Non-nuclear states are urging nuclear-armed nations to disarm faster, while nuclear powers say they are making “unprecedented progress” in doing so, a divide on display at this week’s meeting to discuss the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Reuters

Brazil Renews Support for Iran’s N. Rights Brazilian Ambassador to Iran Antonio Luis Espinola Salgado reiterated his country’s support for Iran’s right to access civilian nuclear technology, and urged a diplomatic end to the Iran-West nuclear impasse through dialogue. FNA

Iran dismisses Western demand to close nuclear bunker Iran said on Friday it will never suspend its uranium enrichment program and sees no reason to close the Fordow underground site, making clear Tehran’s red lines in nuclear talks with world powers later this month. Reuters

Bushehr Nuclear Plant to Reach Full Capacity End of May The Russian contractor in charge of the construction of Iran’s first nuclear power plant in Bushehr announced that the plant will reach its full power generation capacity by the end of this month. QNA

Opposition leader warns N. Korea against nuclear test The new floor leader of South Korea’s main opposition party urged North Korea Monday not to conduct a nuclear test, saying such a move would result in nothing but trouble. Yonhap

N. Korea vows to pursue nuclear programme North Korea vowed on Sunday to push ahead with what it says are peaceful nuclear and space programmes, rubbishing calls from the five permanent UN Security Council members. AFP / Xinhua

S. Korea, U.S. launch major aerial drill South Korea and the United States launched a biannual joint aerial drill Monday amid speculations of a potential nuclear test by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), the defense ministry of South Korea said Monday. Xinhua

Japan shuts down last nuclear reactor As Japan began its workweek Monday morning, the trains ran exactly on time, the elevators in thousands of Tokyo high rises efficiently moved between floors, and the lights turned on across cities with nary a glitch. CNN / Bloomberg / Reuters

Seaports, airports to get radiation detection equipment Security at airports, seaports and border check posts will be strengthened with the installation of modern radiation detection equipment developed by Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL). Hindu

Opinion and Analysis

North Korea’s Performance Anxiety NYT

Learning from Japan’s experience Gulf News

Nuclear energy remains a non-negotiable option for India Economic Times

Atomic ambitions race the clock MG

IAEA says would “not be surprised” by North Korea nuke test The United Nations nuclear chief said on Friday he would not be surprised if North Korea were to carry out a new nuclear test, amid speculation the secretive Asian state is preparing to conduct the third such explosion since 2006. Reuters

IAEA Chief: Hope To Reach Concrete Result With Iran On Nuclear The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said Friday that he is hopeful of reaching concrete results with Iran on concerns about its nuclear program. WSJ

World powers urge Iran to give more nuclear access The five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council put pressure on Iran on Thursday to allay international concern about its nuclear programme, and said they expected talks with Tehran to lead to concrete steps toward a negotiated solution. …In Switzerland, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano told Reuters that his inspectors wanted to go to Parchin “rather sooner than later” and reiterated that the U.N. agency had recently noticed what referred to as some “activities” there. Reuters / AFP

Other Nuclear News

Australia commits NSG support for India Supporting India’s entry into international technology control regimes, Australia on Thursday praised its non-proliferation track record and said the next logical step for it will be to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). PTI

Britain, France violate NPT: Iran IAEA envoy Iran’s Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Ali Asghar Soltanieh has said Britain and France have violated the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear weapons (NPT). PressTV

N-arms do not achieve security, says Qatar Qatar has reiterated its belief that nuclear weapons do not achieve security for any country, and a country’s persistence to maintain a nuclear programme above the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) would increase conflict, arms race, and undermine the NPT. QNA

Israel gets its fourth submarine from Germany capable of launching nuclear warheads Israel on Thursday received its fourth German-made submarine capable of launching nuclear warheads, expanding a fleet that experts say could be used in an attack on Iran. AP

World powers urge North Korea to refrain from nuclear test The five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council urged North Korea on Thursday to refrain from any new nuclear tests amid speculation Pyongyang may soon carry out such an explosion. Reuters

3,000 experts run NK nuclear program North Korea employees some 3,000 experts in pursuit of becoming a nuclear power, a nuclear expert said Wednesday. He added that the reclusive nation would have spent at least $6.58 billion or several years’ worth of food supplies for its impoverished people. Korea Times

Russian expert doubts N.Korea has obtained real nuclear warhead North Korea’s plans to carry out another nuclear test aims to attain political rather than technical goals, said chief researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Global Economy and International Relations Institute, retired Col. Gen. Vladimir Dvorkin. Interfax

Japan, Kazakhstan agree to expand joint rare earth development project Japan and Kazakhstan agreed Tuesday to expand their countries’ joint rare earth development project and promote their cooperation in radioactive decontamination. Kyodo / IBTimes

U.S. company hopes to import up to 500 tons of Mexican radioactive waste A waste management company has applied to the federal government for a license to import up to 500 tons of radioactive waste from Mexico to south-central Washington, where the waste will be incinerated and the resulting ash returned to Mexico. CBS/AP

Enquiry likely into radiation overdose Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan said yesterday there may be a commission of enquiry into the radiation overdose scandal at the Brian Lara Cancer Treatment Centre. Trinidad Express

Atomic ambitions race the clock A standoff is brewing in the government over whether South Africa can pull off its new nuclear ambitions within the time frames and scale envisaged in government policy. MG

Opinion and Analysis

Japan switches off last nuclear power plant; will it cope? Reuters

Japan facing uncertain nuclear future BBC

Japan’s Leaders Fret as Nuclear Shutdown Nears NYT

Japan’s Last Nuclear Reactor to Close Saturday WSJ

Nuclear power is only solution to climate change, says Jeffrey Sachs Guardian

Atomic Energy Summit Proposes Minimum Standards A set of recommended minimum requirements and implementation procedures to improve the control of uranium ore concentrate (UOC) were developed during the week-long seminar on best practices in the control and processing of UOC last week. …The Namibian Government hosted the seminar organised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and co-sponsored by the European Commission and the United States Government. Power Engineering

Other Nuclear News

Iran deputy FM urges elimination of world’s nuclear arms Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Mohammad Mehdi Akhoundzadeh has stressed the importance of dismantling the world’s arsenal of 23,000 nuclear weapons. PressTV

Japan and South Korea urge North Korea to make no more nuclear ‘provocations’ Japan and South Korea urged North Korea on Wednesday to refrain from any new “provocations,” amid concern the secretive Asian state will soon conduct a new nuclear test. Reuters

Iran says optimistic about nuclear talks Iran is optimistic about progress in talks with world powers over its nuclear programme but it will never give up its right to the peaceful use of atomic energy, a senior Iranian official said on Wednesday. Reuters

Iran’s nuclear talk agenda aims at easing Western sanction Iran has made no secret of its hopes for the next round of nuclear negotiations with world powers: Pledges by the West to ease sanctions as a step toward deal making by Tehran. AP / China Daily

Iranian envoy says Israel’s nuclear capabilities greatest threat to peace A senior Iranian official said Wednesday that Israel’s undeclared nuclear weapons pose the greatest threat to Mideast peace and accused the United States and other nuclear powers of hypocritically ignoring their disarmament commitments. AP / KUNA

N. Korea believed to have enriched uranium for up to 6 bombs: expert North Korea is believed to now have enough large stocks of weapons-grade highly enriched uranium for up to six bombs, a local nuclear expert said Wednesday, amid growing concerns that the North may be ready for a new nuclear test. Yonhap

Japan seeks new energy supplies The closure of Japan’s nuclear reactors has prompted a hunt for alternative sources of energy in the resource-poor country. Japan has shut 53 of its 54 nuclear reactors after last year’s earthquake and tsunami resulted in radiation leaks at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. BBC

Its last nuclear reactor going offline, Japan takes tentative steps toward renewable energy Another long, stupefyingly hot summer is looming for Japan just as it shuts down its last operating nuclear power reactor, worsening a squeeze on electricity and adding urgency to calls for a green energy revolution. AP

Japan Assesses Older Nuclear Plants Japan is grappling with the question of whether older nuclear reactors are more prone to spinning out of control when a disaster hits, as the nation pushes to restart units for the first time since last year’s accident in Fukushima. WSJ

Aerial Greenpeace protester strikes at French nuclear site, dropping smoke bomb on reactor An environmental activist was arrested Wednesday after dropping a billowing smoke bomb onto the roof of a French nuclear reactor ahead of a key presidential election debate, Greenpeace and police said. AP

Opinion and Analysis

You Say Messianic, I Say Messianic NYT

Envoy Hopeful about Settlement of Issues with IAEA Iran’s Residing Representative at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Ali Asqar Soltaniyeh said he is hopeful that the upcoming talks with the UN nuclear watchdog in mid-May would help resolve “outstanding issues” between the two sides. FNA / Tehran Times

IAEA, Iran talks to reflect on P5+1 meeting Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman says Tehran’s upcoming talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will reflect on next round of negotiations with six major world powers. PressTV

Namibia: U.S. Ambassador Jenkins On Processing Uranium Ore Concentrate I want to thank the Government of Namibia and the International Atomic Energy Agency for hosting and organizing this important seminar on “Good Practices in the Processing and Control of Uranium Ore Concentrate.” All Africa

International Conference to examine extending nuclear plant life Representatives from 37 countries will be in Salt Lake City next month to discuss ways to safely and cost-effectively extend the life of many of the world’s existing nuclear power plants. … The conference is organized by the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency, and is hosted by the U.S. government through its Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Department of Energy. RDMag

Other Nuclear News

Experts meet in Vienna for nuclear non-proliferation talks Some 1,000 delegates from 190 countries gathered here Monday for the first of three sessions of preparatory talks for a 2015 conference reviewing progress on halting the spread of nuclear weapons. AFP

China stands for promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy: senior official Promoting peaceful use of nuclear energy bears great significance for the international society coping with the challenges posed by the energy crisis and climate change, a senior Chinese official told a major conference on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons on Monday. Xinhua

China wants “drastic” U.S., Russia nuclear arms cuts China called on the United States and Russia – which hold the vast majority of the world’s nuclear warheads – on Monday to make further “drastic” cuts in their atomic arsenals. Reuters

Fostering int’l security environment to prevent nuclear proliferation: Chinese envoy Fostering a favorable international security environment of cooperation and trust is key to prevent nuclear proliferation, a senior Chinese official told Xinhua in a recent interview. Xinhua

N. Korea may conduct nuclear test this week, U.S. tells Seoul: report The U.S. government has told South Korea that it has assessed North Korea may conduct a third nuclear test as early as this week, a South Korean daily JoongAng Ilbo reported Monday. Kyodo

N. Korea believed to have enriched uranium for up to 6 bombs: expert North Korea is believed to now have enough large stocks of weapons-grade highly enriched uranium for up to six bombs, a nuclear expert at the South Korean government said Wednesday, amid growing concerns that the North may be ready for a new nuclear test. Yonhap

Iran will stick to its A plans – Lavrov Russia believes that while hurting the Iranian people, the sanctions against Iran cannot force that country to open its nuclear programme to international inspection, let alone abandon it. TASS

Iran Nuclear Power Plant Works at Near Full Capacity, IRNA Says Iran’s first nuclear power plant was connected at almost full capacity to the national power grid on April 28, the Islamic Republic News Agency reported, citing Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani, who heads the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization. Bloomberg

U.S. Official Rejects Call For International Nuclear Security Standards A senior Obama administration official on Monday rejected suggestions that the Nuclear Security Summit process should strive to establish enforceable international standards for protecting vulnerable nuclear materials GSN

Sign nuclear non-proliferation treaty, Japan tells India Japan on Monday asked India to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) even as the two sides decided to reopen talks on a bilateral civil nuclear agreement. The Hindu

India can make world’s cheapest nuclear reactors: Department of Atomic Energy chief Now, India can build cheaper nuclear reactors, than even South Korea. Talking to TOI on the eve of his retirement, Dr Srikumar Banerjee, secretary in the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), said India can now manufacture nuclear reactors at $1,700 per unit. TNN

Make public safety reports of Kudankulam nuclear project: CIC The reports relating to safety, site evaluation and environmental impact assessment of controversial Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant should be made public, the Central Information Commission has held. PTI

Hanford nuclear reservation tanks for radioactive waste failed requirements The Energy Department and a contractor building a waste treatment plant at the nation’s most contaminated nuclear site procured and installed tanks that did not always meet requirements of a quality assurance program or the contract, a federal audit concluded Monday. AP

S.Korea nuclear safety agency probes two plants South Korea’s nuclear safety watchdog said on Friday it has launched an investigation at two power plants after a corruption scandal involving locally-made copies of foreign components. AFP

No deadline for uranium sale to India, says Australia No timeframe or deadline could be set for Australia to start uranium exports to India. But Australia’s decision to export to India is firmly in place, despite opposition in some quarters, and both nations are discussing the issue to seal a deal, Australia’s Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson said on Monday. The Hindu

Jordan- Nuclear reactor price tag may reach $10 billiont Rising construction costs are likely to push the price tag of the Kingdom’s first nuclear reactor to some $10 billion, according to an international nuclear organisation. Jordan Times

Opinion and Analysis

Possession underscores nuclear contradictions Japan Times

IAEA to resume Iran talks in mid-May The United Nations nuclear watchdog confirmed yesterday it will resume talks with Iran in mid-May, more than two months after the last meeting over concerns about the Islamic state’s atomic activities ended in failure. Reuters / AFP

Other Nuclear News

U.S. may support Iran uranium enrichment In a major concession, Obama administration officials say they could support allowing Iran to continue a crucial element of its disputed nuclear program if the government in Tehran took other major steps to curb its ability to develop a nuclear bomb. LATimes

Iran skeptical but open to U.S. overture on nuclear program Iranian officials expressed skepticism Saturday about possible Obama administration support for allowing the country to continue enriching some uranium but said it could be a good start for further negotiations on its disputed nuclear program. LATimes

Iran hopes for success in next nuclear talks Iran hopes May 23 talks with world powers in Baghdad over its disputed nuclear programme will result in “success,” Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said yesterday, according to ISNA news agency. AFP / dpa

Former Israeli premier Olmert joins Israeli opposition to strike at Iranian nuclear sites A former Israeli prime minister added his voice Sunday to a growing chorus of Israeli officials against a military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. AP

Allies to form nuclear attack contingency plan The South Korean and U.S. militaries will develop operational scenarios for possible nuclear attacks by North Korea as part of their efforts to improve the ability to respond to weapons of mass destruction, the Ministry of National Defense said Friday. Korea Herald

Nokor nuclear test site photographed A new satellite imagery appears to show a train of mining carts and other preparations under way at North Korea’s nuclear test site but no indication of when a detonation might take place. AP

Hillary’s India trip would focus on non-proliferation U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would discuss non-proliferation issues among other things during her trip to India next month, a U.S. official said on Saturday. PTI

BARC showcases disease-resistant crop varieties A workshop on nuclear technology held here on Saturday attracted many to packets containing pods of large and small groundnut seeds. The Hindu

Five nuke operators file stress test data Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd. and four other operators of facilities that reprocess or recycle nuclear fuel have submitted stress tests results to the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency. Jiji

Nuclear plant may sit on top of active geological fault Two units of the Tsuruga nuclear plant in northwestern Japan may be sitting right on top of an active geological fault, according to the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA), the nuclear industry’s watchdog. Tokyo Times

TEPCO ‘offers controlling stake’ to Japan govt The operator of the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant on Friday offered the Japanese government a controlling stake in return for a huge cash injection that would prevent it going under, media reported. AFP

S.Korea nuclear safety agency probes two plants South Korea’s nuclear safety watchdog said on Friday it has launched an investigation at two power plants after a corruption scandal involving locally-made copies of foreign components. AFP

41-year old nuclear reactor shuts down early One of the world’s oldest nuclear reactors shut down for good in Britain on Wednesday evening, five days earlier than originally planned after an operational issue forced it to disconnect from the grid, operator Magnox said on Thursday. Reuters

Jordan weighs two offers to build nuclear plant Energy-poor Jordan said on Sunday a Russian firm and a French-Japanese consortium are to compete to build the kingdom’s first nuclear plant. AFP / Jordan Times

S.C. positioning itself at vanguard of mini-nuclear age South Carolina is poised to become the Silicon Valley of mini-nuclear reactor manufacturing when and if the new technology emerges, according to boosters attending the Nuclear Small Modular Reactor Conference on Tuesday in Columbia. South Carolina State

Opinion and Analysis

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty – at the heart of the global nuclear debate Businessday

N.K. may see its end in a collapse: Cha Korea Herald

Could North Korea test “uranium bomb” for first time? Reuters

Safeguarding us all in nuclear age Korea Herald

Experts Believe Iran Conflict Is Less Likely NYT

Diplomacy offers best hope for Iran on nuclear arms SF Chronicle

Forecasting And Notification System For Predicting Tsunami Impact Developed The United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has developed a new Tsunami Forecasting and Notification System that predicts the waves’ coastal impact well in advance. … The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Wednesday that it would deploy a customized version of the TsunamiCast system at its International Seismic Safety Center (ISSC) in collaboration with NOAA. RTTNews

Hong Kong holds nuclear accident drill at Daya Bay power plant Hong Kong held a nuclear emergency drill on Thursday involving over 1,000 officials and foreign experts, the city’s first exercise since the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan last year. .. Mr Lee said experts from France, Britain and the International Atomic Energy Agency were present to observe the exercise. Some 100 residents of an island near Daya Bay were evacuated as part of the drill. AFP / Kyodo

Other Nuclear News

Barak restates Israeli hard line on nuclear Iran Defense Minister Ehud Barak restated Israel’s fears of a nuclear-armed Iran on Thursday after his top general clashed with the government’s line by describing the Islamic republic as “very rational” and unlikely to build a bomb. Reuters

Panetta hopes Israeli general ‘correct’ on Iran US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said Thursday he hopes that statements from Israel’s military chief describing Iran’s leadership as rational were “correct.” AFP

N. Korea’s Neighbors Oppose New Nuclear Test South Korea and China are warning North Korea of consequences if it goes ahead with a third nuclear test. Haaretz

NISA: Suspended Hamaoka nuke plant could withstand giant tsunami The Hamaoka nuclear power plant, deemed the nation’s most dangerous because of its location, could maintain its state of cold shutdown even if a giant tsunami breached the defenses and swamped the facility. Asahi

Radioactive cesium spread 600 km in waters off Fukushima Radioactive cesium was detected in the ocean as far as 600 kilometers to the east of the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, scientists said, in amounts that reached 100 times pre-accident levels. Asahi

South Africa’s power crunch means opportunity for global nuclear industry Power-starved South Africa plans to increase its nuclear reactor capacity and energy companies from around the world are lining up to be involved. AP

Europe gets more time for nuclear stress tests European states are to get extra time to carry out further tests on nuclear plants, to ensure they can withstand natural and man-made disasters, Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger said, before any laws to improve nuclear safety are proposed. Reuters / AFP

Swiss nuclear plants pass EU stress tests Switzerland’s five nuclear power stations have passed stress tests mandated for European nuclear plants in the wake of last year’s Fukushima disaster. SwissInfo

‘India-Pak N-clash may trigger global starvation’ More than a billion people around the world could face starvation if a nuclear war breaks out between India and Pakistan, according to a new report which said the “nuclear famine” will be an “unprecedented” disaster that would bring an end to modern civilisation. PTI

Work on commissioning unit-I of KNPP in full swing: AEC Works at the Indo-Russian joint venture came to a standstill following the stir by anti-nuclear activists for over seven months and had resumed after the Jayalalithaa government gave go ahead to the project on March 19. PTI

More than Million of Belarusians Live in Area of Radioactive Contamination In Belarus, as a result of the Chernobyl disaster, 2394 settlements were registered as a zone of radioactive contamination. Telegraf

Yanukovych warns on nuclear power on Chernobyl anniversary Ukraine’s president Viktor Yanukovych has warned of the dangers of nuclear energy as his country marks the 26th anniversary of the world’s worst atomic accident. EuroNews

Ukraine has no alternatives to nuclear power for next 10-20 years, says PM Ukrainian Premier Mykola Azarov has stated that Ukraine should develop nuclear power industry under conditions of overcoming an economic crisis, as it has no other alternatives. Interfax

Opinion and Analysis

In U.S.-Russia deal, nuclear communication system may be used for cybersecurity WP

Can Ukraine revive Chernobyl exclusion zone 26 years after nuclear disaster? Xinhua

With clean-up around Chernobyl abandoned, what can Japan learn from 1986 disaster? Mainichi

Will The Stars Align for Small Nuclear Reactors? NYT

Lithuania’s nuclear dreams The National

Nuclear terrorism a case of ‘not if, but when’ Business Day

IAEA representatives to visit Azerbaijan The representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will visit Azerbaijan at the beginning of May. News.az

Delegation from International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), headed by Dr. Ronaldo Camacho, started today a visit to Sudan Dr. Camacho said that the visit comes as part of cooperation with IAEA to help developing countries in the peaceful fields and disease control. SPA

Other Nuclear News

Iran Says It May Halt Nuclear Program Over Sanctions Iran is considering a Russian proposal to halt the expansion of its nuclear program in order to avert new sanctions, the country’s envoy in Moscow said. Bloomberg

Russia says Iran, West “interested” in nuclear offer A Russian diplomat said on Wednesday that Iran and Western nations had shown interest in a Russian proposal aimed to help defuse the standoff over Tehran’s nuclear programme, but suggested it had not been the focus of talks this month. Reuters

Ex-Iran negotiator: “historic” chance for nuke talks Iran and major nations have a “historic opportunity” to settle their decade-old nuclear dispute, but requiring the Islamic state to stop higher-grade uranium enrichment would be discriminatory, Tehran’s former chief nuclear negotiator said. Reuters

IDF chief to Haaretz: I do not believe Iran will decide to develop nuclear weapons Gantz says the international pressure on Iran, in the form of diplomatic and economic sanctions, is beginning to bear fruit. Haaretz

PM hopes Iranian nuke problem will be solved within year Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu Tuesday said he hopes the Iranian nuclear issue will be resolved by next year. Jerusalem Post

Reagan era envoy found Pakistan ‘lied’ on nukes US officials concluded in the 1980s that Pakistan was lying about its nuclear program but muted criticism due to Islamabad’s support against the Soviets in Afghanistan, declassified documents showed. AFP

26 years on: helping Chernobyl’s children Twenty-six years ago this week, a botched reactor safety test in a corner of what was then the Soviet Union set off the worst nuclear accident in history. CNN

Opinion and Analysis

Analysis: U.S. firms may miss out as Saudi nuke plan advances Reuters

Keeping Cool in the Nuclear Heat Project Syndicate

North Korea’s nuclear test ready ‘soon’ North Korea has almost completed preparations for a third nuclear test, a senior source with close ties to Pyongyang and Beijing told Reuters, which will draw further international condemnation following a failed rocket launch if it goes ahead. Reuters

China’s Hu urges N.Korea to seek peace: Xinhua Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday told a visiting North Korean official that the two countries should work towards “peace and stability” after a missile launch by Pyongyang, state media said. AFP

White House warns North Korea The White House warned North Korea Monday that bellicose behavior did nothing to ease its isolation or feed its people, after Pyongyang’s military threatened to turn parts of Seoul to “ashes.” AFP

Russian Military Concedes Iran, N. Korea Nuclear Threat Russia’s military leadership has for the first time acknowledged a nuclear threat from Iran and North Korea. RIA Novosti

Iran resolute on rights based on NPT: Majlis vice speaker The first vice speaker of Iran’s Majlis has reaffirmed the country’s determination in the pursuit of its nuclear rights based on the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). PressTV

Japan fears nuclear plant sits atop active geological fault A nuclear plant in northwestern Japan may be sitting right on top of an active geological fault, the country’s nuclear watchdog has said, raising the risk that the facility may never resume power generation for fear of an earthquake. Reuters / Kyodo

OECD chief: Japan needs nuclear power The head of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development urged Japan on Tuesday to resume nuclear electricity generation despite public opposition. AFP

Audit Confirms EPA Radiation Monitors Broken During Fukushima Crisis An internal audit has confirmed observers’ concerns that many of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s radiation monitors were out of service at the height of the 2011 Fukushima power plant meltdown in Japan, a finding one critic said raises “serious questions” about the federal government’s ability to respond to nuclear emergencies and to alert the public of their consequences. GSN

Nobel Peace laureates see nuclear threat, criticize wars Nobel Peace Prize laureates meeting in Chicago on Monday said the proliferation of nuclear weapons is among the most challenging threats to world peace, but they criticized countries, including the United States, for engaging in what they called unnecessary wars that have caused innocent people to suffer. Chicago Tribune

Norway announces nuclear weapons conference On Tuesday, 17 April, the Norwegian Foreign Minister, Jonas Gahr Store, announced in the Norwegian parliament that “a conference in Oslo to highlight different aspects of nuclear weapons as a humanitarian problem” is scheduled to take place next spring (northern hemisphere). VOXY

Namibia: Minister Launches Atomic Energy Act The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Richard Kamwi recently launched the Atomic Energy and Radiation Act, an occasion which also saw the inauguration of the Atomic Energy Board members. New Era

Merkel Looks to Map Out Nuclear Exit German Chancellor Angela Merkel has invited the country’s four main utilities to a May 2 meeting to begin hashing out how best to fill the void in its future energy capacity, a year after she decided to rapidly shift away from nuclear power in the wake of the Fukushima disaster. WSJ

Opinion and Analysis

Toward 2015 – calling for a Nuclear Weapons Convention Japan Times

A real test for North Korea-China relations Asia Times

Fukushima To Ask IAEA To Open Local Office The Governor of Japan’s Fukushima prefecture will visit the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ask it to establish an office in the prefecture to help with the aftermath of the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. RTT News

Other Nuclear News

Iran sees progress at Baghdad nuclear talks in May Iran is optimistic that talks in Baghdad next month will make progress toward resolving its nuclear dispute with world powers, Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said on Monday. Reuters

NKorea military warns of ‘special actions’ soon North Korea’s military warned Monday of imminent “special actions” that would reduce South Korea’s conservative government to ashes within minutes, sharply escalating the rhetoric against its southern rival. AP

China pledges North Korea ties amid rocket tensions China’s president pledged strong ties with North Korea, amid serious tensions between the two Koreas in the wake of Pyongyang’s failed rocket launch. BBC

High radiation ‘to persist in parts of Fukushima for at least 10 years’ Annual air radiation doses are estimated to exceed 50 millisieverts even after 10 years from now in some areas in Fukushima Prefecture, home to Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s disaster-hit nuclear power plant, according to a government report. Jiji

Kudankulam nuclear plant to be commissioned in 40 days: Govt The first unit of the Kudankulam nuclear power project is expected to start generating electricity in the next 40 days, minister of state in the Prime Minister’s Office V Narayanasamy said on Monday. Times of India

Ukraine Wants to ‘Revitalize’ Chernobyl Area Ukraine is currently working on an expanded governmental program aimed at sprucing up the contaminated territories adjacent to the crippled Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said on Monday. RIA Novosti

Ukraine to strengthen international cooperation in nuclear safety, says Kliuyev Effective mechanisms should be created to implement agreements on expanding cooperation between Ukraine and Japan in the field of nuclear safety, National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Secretary Andriy Kliuyev has said. Interfax

Arab League hold preparatory meeting for WMD-Free Mideast Conference Arab foreign ministries’ senior officials mulled on Sunday preparation for the coming of Weapon of Mass Destruction-Free Middle East Conference in the Finnish capital of Helsinki , scheduled late 2012. KUNA

Opinion and Analysis

Iran and Israel must both work for a nuclear-free Middle East Al Jazeera

The Iranian threat: Military or political? Al Jazeera

The Arms Race Myth NYT

Washington double-talk on nukes WP

Dream of nonproliferation Bangkok Post

HK to hold nuclear plant drill A major inter-departmental exercise will be held on April 26 and 27 in Hong Kong to test the response capability in the event of a serious off-site accident at the nuclear power stations in Daya Bay, Hong Kong’s government news website said Friday. … Following International Atomic Energy Agency standards, the contingency plan involves an “Emergency Zone” at a radius of 20 km from the power stations, and the drill will be held at Tung Ping Chau, which is the only place included in the Emergency Zone within Hong Kong’s territory. Xinhua

Pakistan calls for access to nuclear technology Pakistan has called for access to nuclear technology for peaceful uses “on a non-discriminatory basis” to enable it to meet its growing energy needs. … The Pakistani envoy also said there was no need to create a parallel institution on nuclear security, backing the IAEA’s central role on that subject. Daily Times

Other Nuclear News

N Korea ready for nuclear test North Korea has apparently completed preparations for a third nuclear test, possibly within two weeks, after firing a long-range rocket this month, a newspaper report said Saturday. AFP / Yonhap

Iran cleric praises atom talks, signals shift-analysts An influential Iranian cleric praised recent nuclear talks between Iran and world powers on Friday, the latest in a series of positive statements from senior figures that analysts said could signal Tehran is softening its stance. Reuters

Group fails to report plans for plutonium The Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan has violated government policy by failing to compile a plan on how it intends to use the half ton of plutonium it expects to extract from spent fuel in fiscal 2012, sources said Saturday. Kyodo

UN urges action against nuclear trafficking The UN Security Council is calling on all countries to improve measures to detect, deter and disrupt illicit trafficking in nuclear materials. AP

Noda confirms nuclear progress with Vietnam Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and his Vietnamese counterpart, Nguyen Tan Dung, confirmed Saturday that they will continue to cooperate on nuclear power generation and the development of rare earth metals, the Foreign Ministry said. Kyodo

Czech for closer ties with India in nuclear power sector Czech Republic, the second biggest exporter of nuclear energy to European countries, is keen on having a “very close operation” with India in the nuclear power sector. PTI

Pakistan to install 2000 MW nuclear power plants in Karachi The Pakistani government is planning to install two coastal nuclear power plants (CNPP-1, CNPP-2) each with the capacity to generate 1,000MW in Karachi to meet the future electricity needs of the business capital of Pakistan, The News International reported on Monday. PTI / Economic Times

$33 billion cost of Swiss nuclear decision Switzerland’s decision not to build any new nuclear generating capacity will cost the country some CHF 30 billion ($33 billion) up to 2050, according to the country’s Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC). WNN

Opinion and Analysis

Nuclear weapon reductions must be part of strategic analysis WP

Phasing out nuclear WP

India’s nuclear choices Times of India

Could this be Iran’s last chance? Times of Malta

Best course for Iranian nuclear talks: Take it slow, experts say Centre Daily

Armenia Petitions To IAEA The Government of Armenia petitioned to Yukiya Amano, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), with a request to provide support in extending the life of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant’s second-and currently operating-power block, PM Tigran Sargsyan announced during Thursday’s session of the Government. News.am 1 / News.am 2 / AP

Iran open for IAEA talks, no word on Parchin: diplomats Iran says it is ready to resume talks with the U.N. nuclear watchdog two months after their last meeting ended in failure, but still appears to be stonewalling a request for access to a key military site, Western diplomats said on Thursday. Reuters

Namibia To Host Regional Seminar On Processing, Control Of Uranium Namibia in conjunction with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), will host a regional seminar on good practices in the processing and control of uranium ore concentrate next week. Bernama

Report raises concerns about Seabrook Station Ten months after the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Operating Safety Review Team spent more than two weeks reviewing the operations of the Seabrook Station nuclear power plant, its report has been released by plant officials. Hampton Union

Other Nuclear News

Dialogue conducive to solving Korean Peninsula, Iran nuclear issues: China China said Thursday that dialogue is conducive to the proper settlement of the Korean Peninsula and Iran nuclear issues, and called on all relevant parties to engage in negotiations to maintain peace and stability on the peninsula and in the Middle East. Xinhua / Bernama

Too early to tell on North Korean leader: Clinton Secretary of State Hillary Clinton offered some hope on Wednesday that North Korea’s young leader, Kim Jong-un, may yet change course despite the reclusive Communist state’s recent rocket launch and the threat of a new nuclear test. Reuters

Fukushima fuel removal buildings Plans for the removal of nuclear fuel from Fukushima Daiichi 4 have been explained by Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco). WNN

Hiroshima to rate nuclear powers’ disarmament efforts Hiroshima Prefecture will assemble a team of international experts for a project that rates the endeavors of nuclear powers to curtail their nuclear arsenals. Asahi Shimbun

Japan, Ukraine to work together in N-accidents Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba and Ukrainian Emergency Minister Situations Viktor Baloha have signed a pact stating the two countries would cooperate in the event of a nuclear accident. Jiji

Builder of Rare Earth Plant in Malaysia Counters Complaints The Australian company building a rare earth refinery in Malaysia sought to counter critics who are concerned that the plant could pose radioactive hazards, laying out detailed responses on Thursday that it said refuted the many “false allegations” made about the plant. NYT

Opinion and Analysis

North Korean Nuclear Test Could Trigger Conflict In Middle East Kyodo

Time to get U.S. nukes out of Europe FP

Armenian FM: cooperation with IAEA important to Armenia Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian met with Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano. PanARMENIAN.Net / Times.am

IAEA Head Inspects Medzamor Nuclear Plant The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, United Nations nuclear watchdog, inspected the nuclear plant at Medzamor and discussed with Armenian leaders their plans to delay its decommissioning during a visit to Armenia on Wednesday. RFE / News.am

Other Nuclear News

U.S. urges strong unity against N. Korea’s ‘further provocations’ A senior U.S. diplomat called Monday for the international community to form a strong and united front to prevent North Korea from staging “further provocations” following last week’s botched launch of a long-range rocket. Yonhap

No compromise on Nuclear programmes; says Gilani In quite a clear-cut message, Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani said that there would be no compromise on nuclear deterrents, saying the parliamentary review process was an unprecedented development and marks a new landmark in the progress along the path of democracy. News Pakistan

Pakistan, India priorities: UN panel questions nuclear expenses Nuclear powers, including Pakistan and India, are now facing mounting international scrutiny for spending hefty amounts of national resources on nuclear weapons rather than education and health. Express Tribune

India cannot be target for regime based restrictions: Foreign Secretary India Wednesday said it cannot be the target of regime based restrictions and pitched for full membership of export control entities, including the Nuclear Suppliers Group. IRNA

UAE presses the case for nuclear gold standard New nuclear nations should not pursue uranium enrichment because it makes no commercial sense, says the UAE’s top atomic envoy. National 1 / National 2 / National 3 / National 4

Dungeness nuclear power plant reaches decommissioning milestone The decommissioning of a nuclear power plant in Kent has reached a milestone. BBC

Opinion and Analysis

Will Iran take lessons from North Korea’s rocket launch debacle? CSM

Nuclear Energy Accidents May Become Thing of Past Forbes

‘Nuclear project risks are blown out of proportion’ dna

Japanese nuclear fuel cycle under review WNN

Realistic discussions needed on restarting nuclear reactors Yomiuri

Nuclear Authority Says Visit to North Korea Now ‘Unlikely’ The International Atomic Energy Agency says it is now unlikely to send a delegation to North Korea, after Pyongyang stated it is no longer bound by an agreement with the United States not to test missiles and nuclear devices. VOA / Reuters

IAEA Director General to visit Armenia Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano will visit Armenia on Wednesday and Thursday. News.am / Trend.az

IAEA’s experts visit Bahrain Three experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are to visit the Kingdom of Bahrain in the period 15-19 April 2012, where they will meet with officials and specialists from government bodies and authorities, including the General Authority for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife, Environment, Health, Civil Defense and Jurisprudence and Legislation Authority. BNA

Other Nuclear News

North Korea ‘not bound by US nuclear deal’ North Korea says it is no longer bound by a moratorium on missile and nuclear tests agreed with the US in February in return for food aid. BBC / NYT / Xinhua

Angry North Korea threatens retaliation, nuclear test expected A bristling North Korea on Wednesday said it was ready to retaliate in the face of international condemnation over its failed rocket launch, increasing the likelihood the hermit state will push ahead with a third nuclear test. Reuters

Top Iran Nuclear Scientist, Once Targeted for Assassination, Gets New Emergency Post The head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, a top nuclear scientist who narrowly avoided an assassination attempt less than two years ago, has been given a new post as the commander for nuclear and radioactive emergencies, the Iranian military announced Tuesday. NYT / FNA

Edano apologizes for remarks on active reactors Industry minister Yukio Edano apologized Tuesday for his recent remarks that the nation will be without operating nuclear reactors only “momentarily” from May 6, when the last currently active reactor goes offline for maintenance. Kyodo

Kim resigns over Kori The head of Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP), Jong-shin Kim, has resigned in the wake of a safety-related incident at the Kori nuclear power plant and subsequent concerns over safety culture. WNN

Sarkozy denies hawking nuclear reactor to Gaddafi President Nicolas Sarkozy denied on Tuesday an allegation by the former head of French nuclear group Areva that he had sought to sell a nuclear reactor to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi until mid-2010. Reuters

Ukraine to finish construction of new shelter at Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 2015 During the 45th JAIF (Japan Atomic Industrial Forum) Annual Conference in Tokyo, Ukrainian Emergencies Minister Viktor Baloha said that in 2015 Ukraine will finish the construction of a new safe confinement over the fourth unit of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). Interfax

Ukraine nuclear plant halts reactor after electrical failure A reactor at a nuclear power station in Ukraine has been disconnected from the grid following an electrical failure but radiation levels were not elevated, authorities said on Tuesday. AFP

Opinion and Analysis

Ignatius: Deal with Iran is in the works Herald Tribune

Restart Six-Party Talks China Daily

N. Korea says it will not allow IAEA inspectors / Bilateral accord with U.S. likely to be called off North Korea has defiantly said it will not allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to monitor its uranium enrichment activities in response to the United States’ statement that it will call off food aid to the country, diplomatic sources said Monday. Yomiuri Shimbun / KBS

Other Nuclear News

Iran wants sanctions eased, hints on enrichment Iran has called on the West to look to lifting its sanctions if it wants to quickly resolve the showdown over Tehran’s disputed nuclear activities, a prospect swiftly ruled out by Washington. Foreign minister Ali Akbar Salehi outlined his country’s message in an interview with the news agency ISNA on Monday, following milestone talks at the weekend in Istanbul between Iran and world powers. AFP / Reuters / AP / Tehran Times

US engages China over North Korean nuclear ambitions The Obama administration will make a major push to convince China to pressure North Korea not to conduct a nuclear test, following the failure on Friday of Pyongyang’s long-range missile launch, according to US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia, Kurt Campbell. The Australian

UN Security Council Toughens N.Korea Sanctions The U.N. Security Council has strongly condemned North Korea for its attempted launch of a long-range rocket last week, and agreed to impose new sanctions on the increasingly isolated nation. VOA / Telegraph

US looking at “all options” on N.Korea as nuclear test looms The United States is looking at “all options” as it seeks to discourage North Korea from conducting a third nuclear test, a senior U.S. military officer said on Tuesday, days after a failed long-range rocket launch by the North that drew international condemnation. Reuters

Japan lifts no-entry ban for coastal city The Japanese government on Monday lifted a no-entry ban imposed on a coastal city which is near the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Xinhua

New underwater images show damage at Fukushima Reactor Tokyo Electric Power Co has released dramatic images taken by an underwater camera showing major damage at a spent fuel storage pool at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. Japan Today / WNN

Osaka to mull accepting N-waste depot Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto said Monday his city will consider accepting a temporary storage facility for spent nuclear fuel if two reactors at Kansai Electric Power Co.’s Oi nuclear power station have to be reactivated. Jiji Press

Ambassador: Ukraine to participate in construction of nuclear power plant in Jordan Ukrainian companies want to participate in the construction of a nuclear power plant in Jordan, Ukrainian Ambassador to Jordan Serhiy Pasko has said. Kyiv Post

Barc’s safe water pledge in state The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (Barc) can help the state government provide safe drinking water to people in areas where arsenic and fluoride content in groundwater is higher than the permissible limit, Barc director R K Sinha said on Sunday. TNN

No objections to Kudankulam nuclear power project: Sri Lanka Sri Lanka today said it had not objected to the Kudankulam nuclear power project in Tamil Nadu and underlined that India has every right to use nuclear technology in meeting the requirements of electrical energy. PTI

Austria to end importing nuclear energy by 2015 Austria’s energy providers have committed to stop importing atomic energy within the next three years, the government announced Monday. dpa

Austria to arrest the sellers of fake nuclear material Austrian Ministry of the Interior on the 15th, the Police in Vienna arrested seven men suspected of selling fake nuclear material. Agile-News

Smuggled Radioactive Material Seized In Turkey The anti-smuggling unit of Turkey’s Gendarmerie Command has seized two glass tubes containing 500 grams of Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope of cesium, which it suspects was smuggled to the country from Russia through Georgia. RTT News

Opinion and Analysis

Iran’s Tone Changes in Istanbul: Nuke Talks ‘Constructive and Useful’ Daily Beast

Iran strikes a new tone on nuclear talks WP

Shape of a deal with Iran Korea Times

Sri Lanka sets up radiation warning system Sri Lanka has taken measures to establish a warning system to alert to the danger of radiation in an event of a leak from the nuclear plants in neighboring India. … The Chairman of Sri Lanka’s Atomic Energy Authority Dr. Ranjith Wijewardena has said that Sri Lanka will seek the assistance of the International Atomic Energy Agency to establish the warning system. Colombo Page

91 of 223 dead Ninety-one or 40.8 per cent of the 223 cancer patients over-radiated by the Brian Lara Cancer Treatment Centre (BLCTC) are dead. … According to the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) Basic Safety Standards (BSS) 1996 protocol, the Brian Lara Treatment Centre broke a significant number of best practice rules. Trinidad Express

Other Nuclear News

At Nuclear Talks, Iran and 6 Nations Agree to Meet Again Iran and six world powers agreed Saturday to hold a new round of talks in Baghdad on May 23, Catherine Ashton, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, said after the first meeting in nearly 15 months on Tehran’s disputed nuclear program. NYT / AFP / AP / Xinhuanet

Diplomats cautiously hopeful after talks in Turkey on Iran nuclear crisis Western diplomats claimed modest progress Saturday after more than 10 hours of talks with Iranian officials, raising hopes for at least a temporary easing of a nuclear crisis that has fueled fears of a new military conflict in the Middle East. WP / BBC / RIA Novosti

Nuclear test could be North Korea’s next step Now that North Korea’s rocket launch has ended in failure, its next move could be even more provocative: a nuclear test. AP

Russia, India urge restraint over DPRK’s launch Foreign ministers of Russia, China and India urged all concerned parties to show restraint over the satellite launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday. Xinhua / RIA Novosti

China urges calm after DPRK’s satellite launch China calls on all sides to keep in contact in the wake of the satellite launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said on Friday. Xinhua / AP

Kim Jong-Il’s will demands WMDs Kim Jong-Il’s will urges North Korea to develop weapons of mass destruction, a top defector has said. AFP

Armenia thwarts sale of radioactive strontium Armenia’s security services said on Friday they foiled a deal to sell the radioactive isotope strontium-90, the third such case involving a radioactive substance in the country in three years. AFP

Japan declares two idle nuclear reactors safe, as country faces power shortages Two idled Japanese nuclear reactors operated by Kansai Electric Power Co have been declared safe and will need to be restarted, Japanese Trade Minister Yukio Edano said on Friday. Reuters

Japan to be without operating nuclear reactors on May 6: Edano Industry minister Yukio Edano confirmed Sunday that no nuclear reactor will be in operation in Japan “momentarily” from May 6 as the last reactor in operation is set to go offline for maintenance the day before. Kyodo / AFP

Fukushima impacts global nuclear generation in 2011 The amount of electricity generated by nuclear power plants worldwide fell by just over 4% in 2011, primarily due to reactors being idled in Japan following the Fukushima accident and Germany’s reflex reaction to close its older units. WNN

Four states seek EU nuclear power subsidies: report Britain, the Czech Republic, France and Poland are calling for nuclear power to receive similar subsidies from the EU as wind and solar energy, a German newspaper said Friday. AFP

Germany open to nuclear shutdown fund – minister Germany would consider ringfencing billions of euros to be put aside by utilities for disposing of radioactive waste, the environment minister said, to ensure decommissioning of the country’s nuclear power plants is completed decades from now. Reuters

Aquino still not sold on nuclear energy despite Mindanao power crisis Saying Filipinos are not as studious and meticulous as the Japanese when it comes to the use of nuclear energy, President Benigno Aquino III on Monday thumbed down anew the use of such energy in the country. GMA

No effect of earthquakes on nuclear plants in Maharashtra The two earthquakes that jolted Maharashtra on Saturday had no impact on nuclear power plants in the state, India’s nuclear operator said. “No effect was felt at any of the nuclear power plants and all reactors continue to operate normally,” said S Krishnamurthy, executive director (operations) of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). Hindustan Times

Opinion and Analysis

Toward a World Without Nukes NYT

A ‘Disarmament War’ Against Iran Will Fail Moscow Times

Follow IAEA on… 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. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe 12 April 2012 IAEA Daily Press Review IAEA in the News Iranian envoy offers apology to Hatoyama The acting Iranian ambassador to Japan apologized Tuesday to former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama over the Iranian government’s announcement that he had criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency. Jiji Press Other Nuclear News North Korea launch casts doubt on improving relations North Korea’s planned rocket launch over the next few days casts doubt on hopes for an agreement on its nuclear programme, but there is little chance it will back down. BBC / Bloomberg G-8 agrees N. Korean rocket launch would violate U.N. resolutions Foreign ministers from the Group of Eight nations agreed Wednesday that if North Korea carries through its plan to launch a long-range rocket it would be a ”clear violation” of U.N. resolutions. Kyodo North Korea’s impending missile launch puts focus on China North Korea’s impending launch of what appears to be a ballistic missile capable of hitting the United States puts a spotlight on China, the North’s closest ally and benefactor. USA Today Iran says it will present new proposals at upcoming nuclear talks Iran said Wednesday it plans to present new proposals at upcoming talks on its controversial nuclear program. CNN / Reuters / AFP / Guardian Nuclear talks aim to ease fears of Iran war Major powers will hold their first talks with Iran this week in more than a year, hoping Tehran will give enough ground over its nuclear programme to continue negotiations and avert the threat of a Middle East war. Reuters Iran cuts oil supply to Germany ahead of upcoming nuclear talks with West Iran has played a tit-for-tat game over crude shipments since the EU agreed in January to stop all Iranian oil imports as of July; State TV also reported Iran banning imports from 100 European companies. AP / Pakistan Tribune China urges `flexibility’ in Iran nuclear talks Iran’s economic ally China urged all sides Tuesday in upcoming nuclear talks to show “flexibility and sincerity” even as Tehran sent mixed messages with hints of compromise and blasts of defiance. AP Clinton Says ‘Still Time’ for a Nuclear Deal With Iran U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said “there is still time for diplomacy” to resolve the Iran nuclear dispute, as an Iranian official said his nation plans to offer “new initiatives” at talks with world powers in Istanbul on April 14. Bloomberg Noda to send Edano to Fukui Kyodo Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is making final arrangements to send industry minister Yukio Edano to Fukui Prefecture on Friday to ask for cooperation in restarting two idled reactors at the Oi nuclear power plant, sources said. Kyodo Kudankulam nuclear plant unaffected by tremors Work at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) was not affected in the wake of a massive earthquake in Indonesia triggering fears of a tsunami, though the plant is “generally on alert,” a top official said today. Bulgaria to build new nuclear unit at Kozloduy Bulgaria’s government decided to Wednesday to start the process leading to construction of a 1,000 megawatt reactor at its Kozloduy nuclear plant on the Danube river after quitting the Belene nuclear project. Reuters / AP Spain’s nuclear sector eyes growth in China Spain’s nuclear energy sector has gained a strong foothold in China over the past quarter century, providing components or services to nine of the country’s 14 operating nuclear power plants, and now is seeking to further expand its presence in the Asian nation, said authorities. IANS US nuclear performance figures American nuclear operators posted good performances last year with fewer unplanned shutdowns than any year since 2005 and strong capacity factors across the fleet. WNN Opinion and Analysis Nuclear Threats Challenge Obama WSJ If at First Iran Says No, Try, Try Again NYT Iranian Split Seeps Into Atomic Policy WSJ Give nuclear talks a chance Haaretz Developing a system commensurate with the risk and consequences of nuclear terrorism Bradenton Herald © 2011 International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna International Centre, PO Box 100, A-1400 Vienna, Austria Telephone: (+431) 2600-21273, E-mail: press@iaea.org

]]> http://www.iaea.org/blog/feeds/?p=6215 http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Multimedia/Videos/images/nothumb_160x120.jpg Wed, 11 Apr 2012 08:12:54 +0000 http://www.iaea.org/blog/feeds/?p=6215

Follow IAEA on… 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. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe 11 April 2012 IAEA Daily Press Review IAEA in the News Vietnam to open PR center on nuclear power The first media center on nuclear power in Vietnam will be inaugurated this year to diffuse basic knowledge on nuclear power by pictures to the people. … Last year scientists of IAEA visited Vietnam to supply the country with knowledge and skills on PR activities for nuclear power. VietNamNet Atomic energy official points to e-beam technology to aid safe food supply More than 2 million people a year – most of them children – die from foodborne or waterborne illness, a fact that an International Atomic Energy Agency official said is unacceptable since technology is available to curb those losses. Texas AgriLife Other Nuclear News Foreign Minister Davutoglu says Turkey wants WMD-free Mideast After much haggling over the venue for nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 (permanent UNSC countries plus Germany), Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu officially confirmed on Tuesday that the meeting will take place in Istanbul on April 14 and added that Turkey wants the Middle East to be a region without any weapons of mass destruction. Todays Zaman Restart decisions rest with politicians Members of the Japanese cabinet have met publicly to discuss restarting reactors while the country’s crisis of confidence in nuclear safety continues. WNN Israel holds secret talks on involvement in Mideast nuclear disarmament conference Finnish official meets with Israelis secretly in Jerusalem ahead of the upcoming Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty conference, which is scheduled to be held in Helsinki in December but could be deferred until 2013. Haaretz Turkey expecting nuclear bids from China, Japan, S Korea: minister Turkey is expecting to receive separate bids from China, Japan and South Korea for the construction and operation of its second planned nuclear power plant at Sinop on the Black Sea coast, energy minister Taner Yildiz announced Monday. Platts Russia and Japan cement nuclear cooperation An agreement between Russia and Japan to cooperate in the peaceful use of atomic energy is to come into effect in May, according to Rosatom. NEI Japan-UK nuclear cooperation framework British prime minister David Cameron met with his Japanese counterpart Yoshihiko Noda in Toyko today as part of a trade mission. The leaders renewed their commitment to nuclear cooperation as begun in the 1960s. WNN Discussions on nuclear safety issues soon: Sri Lankan envoy India and Sri Lanka were engaged bilaterally in nuclear technology-related issues High Commissioners of both countries stationed in New Delhi and Colombo have confirmed. The Hindu Work at Kudankulam quickens for first reactor Work at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) is progressing rapidly with employees working even on holidays to get the atomic regulator’s nod to reopen the first reactor vessel and remove the dummy fuel, the Nuclear Power Corp of India Ltd (NPCIL) said. IANS India can’t produce 20,000 MW n-energy by 2020 India’s ambitious deadline to generate 20,000 MW nuclear energy by 2020 may be delayed by almost a year, a top official said here Wednesday. IANS Ex-Areva head said Sarkozy hoped to sell Gaddafi nuclear – report The former head of France’s state-controlled nuclear group Areva accused French President Nicolas Sarkozy of wanting to try to sell nuclear power to Muammar Gaddafi’s Libya at least until the summer of 2010, according to a news report. Reuters France waits for India to clarify n-liability framework In the midst of the run-up to the French presidential elections, France has been in dialogue with India to clarify issues relating to the nuclear liability law, and is waiting for New Delhi to establish the legal framework before signing commercial contracts for setting up atomic reactors. IANS Russia promotes its nuclear capabilities to South Africa In early April the Russian state atomic energy corporation Rosatom together with the Nuclear Industry Association of South Africa hosted a Russian nuclear energy and solutions seminar in Johannesburg to promote the advantages of Russian nuclear technology and technical capabilities. ESI Africa Opinion and Analysis Nuclear Power’s Death Somewhat Exaggerated NYT Squandered leverage over Iran WP Jonathan Schell: Disarmament Wars Strait Times Iran Talks Must Yield a Deal Even Reagan Could Accept Bloomberg Behind the rhetoric, Iran and US hint at nuclear compromise The National © 2011 International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna International Centre, PO Box 100, A-1400 Vienna, Austria Telephone: (+431) 2600-21273, E-mail: press@iaea.org

]]> http://www.iaea.org/blog/feeds/?p=6222 http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Multimedia/Videos/images/nothumb_160x120.jpg Tue, 10 Apr 2012 08:29:59 +0000 http://www.iaea.org/blog/feeds/?p=6222

Follow IAEA on… 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. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe 10 April 2012 IAEA Daily Press Review IAEA in the News The Second Regional Meeting of the IAEA Held in Kuwait The Second Regional Meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), was recently held in Kuwait. KISR Japan tells off ex-PM over Iran visit Japan on Monday gave one of its former prime ministers a ticking off over a “personal” visit to Iran where he apparently said the IAEA was not being fair to Tehran over its nuclear programme. Kyodo / AFP Other Nuclear News Iran’s nuclear chief suggests possible compromise Iran is signaling a possible compromise offer heading into critical talks with world powers deeply suspicious of its nuclear program: offering to scale back uranium enrichment but not abandon the ability to make nuclear fuel. AP / NYT U.S. Defines Its Demands for New Round of Talks With Iran The Obama administration and its European allies plan to open new negotiations with Iran by demanding the immediate closing and ultimate dismantling of a recently completed nuclear facility deep under a mountain, according to American and European diplomats. NYT FM hopes Iran talks achieve progress Beijing hopes the upcoming nuclear talks between Iran and six world powers achieve progress and are “a good start” toward a solution to the Iran nuclear issue, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday. China Daily / AP France Says Iran Must Take First Nuclear Steps Iran must take the first confidence-building steps during coming talks on Tehran’s nuclear program with six major powers, French foreign minister Alain Juppe said Thursday. WSJ S. Korean government says North preparing for third nuclear test As North Korea prepares for a long-range rocket launch within the next week, the South Korean government has released fresh evidence that, it says, suggests a nuclear test soon could follow. WP / NYT / Bloomberg / AP / China Daily ‘Blue House tried to buy nuclear rods from North’ Following a revelation by a former White House official, a senior Blue House aide admitted that the Lee Myung-bak administration had made an attempt to purchase nuclear material from North Korea to stop its atomic arms programs, but the deal failed due to Pyongyang’s high-priced demands. Korean Joongang Daily Japan gives preliminary OK to restart 2 nuclear reactors Japan’s economy minister said Monday two nuclear reactors tentatively met government safety standards even though completing improvements will take several years, paving the way for final approval for their startup soon. AP Fukushima leak may have flowed into Pacific: TEPCO About 12 tonnes of radioactive water has leaked at Japan’s crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, with the facility’s operator saying Thursday that some may have flowed into the Pacific Ocean. AFP / Xinhua Noda decides to ask Fukui Pref. on Sun. to accept reactor reactivation Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has decided to ask the governor of Fukui Prefecture as early as Sunday to accept the reactivation of two offline reactors at the Oi nuclear power plant in the western Japan prefecture, amid concern over electricity supply shortages this summer, government sources said Wednesday. Kyodo Japan sees nuclear contingency plans soon, before restarts Japan’s government will announce soon its contingency plans for dealing with nuclear accidents to ease public concerns about restarting reactors closed since the Fukushima radiation crisis last year, Trade Minister Yukio Edano said on Monday. Reuters Japan sets new safety standards for nuclear plants The Japanese government approved new safety guidelines for nuclear power plants on Friday in a bid to restart reactors idled after the Fukushima disaster last year. AFP Experts to decide fate of nuclear power plant: KHNP chief The chief executive of the Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co. said Thursday the company will follow the decision by specialized agencies on whether to shut down the Gori-1 nuclear power plant in Busan. Korea Herald Turkey PM oversees nuclear agreements with China Turkey’s Prime Minister oversaw the signing of two nuclear agreements with China today on a trip to the Asian nation that also saw him make an unprecedented stop in ethnically-tense Xinjiang. AFP / Pakistan Daily Times China expands oldest nuclear power plant China has expanded its oldest nuclear power plant. UPI No Damage at French Nuclear Plant State-controlled power company Electricite de France SA said Friday that it had fixed a leak detected at one of its nuclear reactors in northern France and that the incident had had no impact on the environment. WSJ U.S. Nuclear Body Decision Stalled on Proliferation Review Proposal A Nuclear Regulatory Commission response to a proposal that the agency demand a proliferation assessment for each new materials-processing facility license application has been delayed until next fall GSN Nuclear reactor hazard destroyed One of the most hazardous legacies of Britain’s early atomic research has been destroyed, bosses at a redundant nuclear power station have revealed. UKPA ‘India’s nuclear plant threatens us’ Sri Lanka has expressed concern over possible impact of radiation from India’s nuclear power plants located in the southern region as it prepares to raise the issue with global atomic watchdog IAEA. PTI / NDTV AQ rules out nuclear programme rollback Renowned nuclear scientist and architect of Pakistan’s nuclear programme Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan has said that former President Pervez Musharraf had caused enormous damage to the country and could have pledged the country’s nuclear programme at the hands of his foreign masters had he stayed in power for some more time. The Nation Opinion and Analysis Is Iran’s proposal to hold nuke talks in Syria, Iraq, or China brinksmanship? AP Musing on muons: How to detect smuggled uranium and plutonium using muons Economist © 2011 International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna International Centre, PO Box 100, A-1400 Vienna, Austria Telephone: (+431) 2600-21273, E-mail: press@iaea.org

]]> http://www.iaea.org/blog/feeds/?p=6200 http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Multimedia/Videos/images/nothumb_160x120.jpg Thu, 05 Apr 2012 08:34:44 +0000 http://www.iaea.org/blog/feeds/?p=6200

Follow IAEA on… 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. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe 05 April 2012 IAEA Daily Press Review IAEA in the News Albania and IAEA sign Country Programme Framework for 2012 – 2017 Albania and the International Atomic Energy Agency have signed Albania’s Country Programme Framework for the period of 2012 – 2017, ATA news agency reported April 2. The Framework includes projects worth over EUR3m in priority areas for the country’s economic and social development. bne Other Nuclear News N. Korea threatens third nuclear test after rocket launch North Korea hinted on Wednesday that it could conduct a third nuclear test if the U.S. and its allies put additional sanctions on the North over its planned rocket launch in mid-April. Korea Herald / Korea Times / AFP Clinton warns Iran time not ‘infinite’ for talks US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday warned Iran that time was not “infinite” for diplomacy and that “all options remain on the table” after a dispute over the venue of talks. AFP Japan rushes to restart reactors to avoid total shutdown Japan’s government is racing to get two nuclear reactors, idled after the Fukushima crisis, running again by next month out of what experts say is fear that a total shutdown would make it hard to convince a wary public that atomic power is vital. Reuters Lights dim for Japan’s nuclear utilities As the future of Tokyo Electric Power remains in question, concerns are building over how other nuclear power operating electric power companies (Epcos) will fund themselves going forward. Reuters / WSJ Unhappiness about Japan’s nuclear plant restart policy Local governments in and near Fukui Prefecture, which hosts the Oi nuclear power plant, are critical of the central government’s inconsistency over procedures to restart operations of the plant’s Nos. 3 and 4 reactors, located in the town of Oi in the prefecture. Yomiuri Nuclear agency under fire for donations from industry body Donations to the Japan Atomic Energy Agency from an electric utility industry federation and 11 companies in the industry have raised the possibility of a conflict of interest. Kyodo India confident of managing nuclear programmes safely, says M.R. Srinivasan “India needs to develop nuclear energy in addition to all other forms of energy to meet its ever-growing demand. With a large pool of talented engineers and scientists, India can confidently manage a large nuclear energy programme safely and efficiently,” M.R. Srinivasan, former Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission, and expert committee member on Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP), said in Coimbatore on Wednesday. Hindu National Nuclear Laboratory and GEH sign plutonium MoU The UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) agreement with GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH). Engineer / Business Wire EDF Sticks to U.K. Nuclear Projects as RWE, EON Quit Vent Electricite de France SA, the world’s biggest operator of atomic plants, remains committed to developing nuclear reactors in the U.K. even after Germany’s two biggest utilities abandoned projects in the country. Bloomberg Iran to Supply Neighbors with N. Electricity Iran announced that it is prepared to provide the neighboring states with electricity generated in the country’s nuclear power plants. FNA Opinion and Analysis Atomic Ambition: UAE nuclear development in focus Utilities Nukes and their security Pakistan Today Nuclear power answer to clean energy Standard – Examiner Living in a nuclear hell Aljazeera © 2011 International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna International Centre, PO Box 100, A-1400 Vienna, Austria Telephone: (+431) 2600-21273, E-mail: press@iaea.org

]]> http://www.iaea.org/blog/feeds/?p=6187 http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Multimedia/Videos/images/nothumb_160x120.jpg Wed, 04 Apr 2012 08:27:22 +0000 http://www.iaea.org/blog/feeds/?p=6187

Follow IAEA on… 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. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe 04 April 2012 IAEA Daily Press Review IAEA in the News Lukashenko Ready to Build Second NPP in Belarus Belarus is ready to build a second nuclear power plant. This was stated by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko during his meeting with Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukia Amano on April 3. Telegraf / Naviny / RFERL / RIA Novosti / TASS Angola: Government Plans to Create Nuclear Medicine Centre The Angolan government is working on a project to implement a nuclear medicine centre to detect and treat various diseases, especially cancer, said Friday in Luanda, the specialist in nuclear medicine, Antonia Muangala. … She also said that this project is being done in agreement between the Angolan Government and the Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), with a view to its implementation, which was made possible by the peace achieved in 2002. All Africa Other Nuclear News Iraq says Iran proposes Baghdad for nuclear talks Iran has proposed holding the next round of talks with six world powers over its disputed nuclear program next week in Iraq instead of Turkey, Iraq’s foreign minister said on Wednesday. Reuters / Bloomberg / Al-Arabiya New Data Show Fukushima Radiation Moved Rapidly Out Into Pacific Ocean American and Japanese scientists say they have found elevated levels of radioactive cesium throughout a 150,000 square kilometer area of the Pacific Ocean off Japan. VOA Radioactive material from Fukushima nuclear reactor tracked 600 km away Scientists have found radioactive material from the crippled Fukushima nuclear reactor in tiny sea creatures and ocean water some 600 km off the coast of Japan, revealing the extent of the release and the direction pollutants might take in a future environmental disaster. Economic Times / PTI Japan holds off on decision to restart reactors Japan needs more time to decide whether to restart two offline nuclear reactors, the trade minister said on Tuesday, as concerns about a summer power crunch vie with safety worries in the wake of last year’s Fukushima crisis. Reuters KEPCO aims to double UAE nuclear plant sales Korea Electric Power Corp (KEPCO) said it will begin talks next year with the United Arab Emirates on a new deal for four nuclear power plants, and plans to spend 800 billion won ($706.06 million) this year on overseas resources development including acquisitions. Reuters / WSJ Y-12 ships highly enriched uranium to France The Y-12 nuclear weapons plant has shipped more than 400 pounds of highly enriched uranium to France, where it will reportedly be used for fuel in a high-performance research reactor near Grenoble. KnoxNews Sri Lanka seeks MoU with India on nuclear power The government of Sri Lanka says it proposed India to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on nuclear disaster management. The Nation UK boosts nuclear liabilities The UK government is to substantially increase the third party liabilities of nuclear plant operators in the event of an accident, bringing them into line with previously agreed amendments to the Paris and Brussels conventions. WNN Armenian Nuclear Power Plant getting ready for stress-test The successful stress-test of the 2d energy unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant will allow its further operation. ArmenPress Opinion and Analysis Can Brazil Stop Iran? NYT Iran Talks: Amid Ticking Clocks and Closing Windows, What Would Success Look Like? TIME © 2011 International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna International Centre, PO Box 100, A-1400 Vienna, Austria Telephone: (+431) 2600-21273, E-mail: press@iaea.org

]]> http://www.iaea.org/blog/feeds/?p=6174 http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Multimedia/Videos/images/nothumb_160x120.jpg Tue, 03 Apr 2012 09:21:41 +0000 http://www.iaea.org/blog/feeds/?p=6174

Follow IAEA on… 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. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe 03 April 2012 IAEA Daily Press Review IAEA in the News Belarus can count on the IAEA support at all stages of NPP construction The corresponding statement was made by the head of the agency Yukiya Amano during his working visit to our country. He will have a number of working meetings at the governmental level. TVR IAEA seeks more info before any North Korea trip The U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Monday it needed more information before it could take up an invitation from North Korea to visit the country three years after its inspectors were expelled. Reuters / Yonhap Russia Supports Sending More IAEA Experts to Iran More IAEA inspectors should be send to Iran, Russian Foreign Ministry Sergei Lavrov said on Monday during his visit to Armenia. RIA Novosti Other Nuclear News U.S. Hopes Latest Talks on Iran Nuclear Program Lead to New Diplomacy Washington is poised to install new sanctions against Iranian oil sales over Tehran’s nuclear program, but is hoping P5-plus-1 talks in Istanbul on April 13 restart the diplomatic process-although expectations remain low. DB / AFP Japan fails to create revamped nuclear regulatory agency by target date Japan’s government has failed to create a revamped nuclear regulatory agency by the promised date, April 1, amid political infighting, raising questions about its commitment to bolstering oversight in the wake of last year’s nuclear crisis. AP / Aljazeera / Kyodo Japan Nuclear Fuel to resume MOX plant construction Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd. will resume possibly next week the construction of a plant to produce mixed oxide nuclear fuel known as MOX in northeastern Rokkasho village, Aomori Prefecture, Japan Nuclear Fuel President Yoshihiko Kawai said Friday. Kyodo Nuclear agency received large donations from nuke plant operators Japan Atomic Energy Agency has received donations totaling about 250 million yen over the past four years to March 31 from an electric utility industry federation and 11 companies including electric utilities and firms constructing and operating nuclear power plants, agency officials said Monday. Kyodo Japan Asks Chubu Electric to Reassess Safety of Hamaoka Plant Japan’s nuclear watchdog ordered Chubu Electric Power Co. to assess the impact of a tsunami as high as 21 meters (69 feet) on its Hamaoka plant after a government panel said quakes could trigger such sea waves. Bloomberg Camera than can ‘see’ radiation will assess danger levels at stricken Fukushima nuclear reactor There are still dangerously high radiation levels at Japan’s crippled Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear reactor – but now the plant’s owner is able to see the normally invisible threat. Daily Mail Final report finds T&T cancer patients suffered severe radiation injuries at Lara Treatment Centre A multi speciality team of radiation experts tasked with conducting a medical evaluation of patients exposed to radiation overdoses, ranging from four to 20 per cent more than had been prescribed for them at the Brian Lara Cancer Treatment Centre (BLCTC), have found clinical evidence of “severe radiation injury”. Trinidad Express S. Africa considers nuclear fuel cycle facilities South Africa is mulling the re-establishment of its uranium enrichment and conversion facilities, which were dismantled during the apartheid era, as it seeks to secure fuel for a new fleet of nuclear power stations. Reuters Report: Miqati Welcomes Study on Peaceful Nuclear Reactor in Lebanon Prime Minister Najib Miqati has welcomed a feasibility study on the establishment of a nuclear reactor for peaceful scientific research in Lebanon, An Nahar newspaper reported Monday. Naharnet / Albawaba NRC grants second US nuclear reactor license in 30 yrs The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Friday approved a license for Scana Corp to build two reactors at the Summer nuclear station in South Carolina, the agency’s second approval of additional nuclear units to be built in two months after a 30-year construction hiatus. Reuters / NEI Indonesia Expands Nuclear Monitoring at Major Ports More radiation portal monitors (RPM) will be installed at Indonesia’s major seaports to follow up on proposals made by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the 2012 Nuclear security summit, Xinhua news agency reported. Bernama India will have 60 N-plants by 2035, says NPCIL chief SK Jain, Chairman and Managing Director of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), said that India will have at least 60 nuclear reactors by 2035. Daily Bhaskar Opinion and Analysis Ghosts of Iraq Haunting C.I.A. in Tackling Iran NYT US faces limited options on North Korea CBS News In light of further nuclear risks, economic growth should not be priority Mainichi © 2011 International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna International Centre, PO Box 100, A-1400 Vienna, Austria Telephone: (+431) 2600-21273, E-mail: press@iaea.org

]]> http://www.iaea.org/blog/feeds/?p=6168 http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Multimedia/Videos/images/nothumb_160x120.jpg Mon, 02 Apr 2012 09:07:49 +0000 http://www.iaea.org/blog/feeds/?p=6168

Follow IAEA on… 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. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe 02 April 2012 IAEA Daily Press Review IAEA in the News Exclusive: Key players in upcoming Iran nuclear talks have different expectations Iran and the international community are getting ready for a new round of talks next month aimed at resolving questions surrounding the Islamic Republic’s suspected nuclear program. Fox Other Nuclear News Clinton: New nuclear talks with Iran in April in Turkey, but time running short for diplomacy U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton made clear Saturday that time is running out for diplomacy over Iran’s nuclear program and said talks aimed at preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon would resume in mid-April. AP Russia Says Iran Breaking Nuclear Resolution Iran’s nuclear program is growing, breaching United Nations resolutions amid an “alarming” escalation over the country’s plans, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Thursday. Bloomberg Informal N.Korea-US meeting in Germany A think tank says North Korean and American delegations have held informal talks in Germany, talks that come amid tensions over Pyongyang’s plans for a long-range rocket launch. AP China is concerned seriously about DPRK’s nuclear programme – FM Guaranteed stability and peace at the Korean Peninsula and in East Asia is of interests of all sides involved in the process of settlement of the situation in the region, Spokesperson of China’s Foreign Ministry Hong Lei said on Thursday, answering the request from reporters to comment on the recent decision of Barack Obama’s administration to suspend food aid to the DPRK. ITAR-TASS NKorea says US breaking nuclear deal over rocket North Korea says the United States is overreacting to Pyongyang’s rocket launch plan by breaking their recent nuclear agreement. AP Japan’s Tepco scraps plans for new reactors at stricken plant Tokyo Electric Power Co, or Tepco, said on Friday it had notified Japan’s trade ministry it was dropping plans for two more nuclear reactors at its Fukushima Daiichi plant, paralyzed last year by a devastating earthquake. Reuters No-entry restriction lifted for 2 nuclear areas In line with a review of evacuation zoning that has been in place since the outbreak of the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, the no-entry restriction was lifted on Sunday for Kawauchi and Tamura, both in Fukushima Prefecture, kicking off a project to allow residents to return home. Yomiuri Shimbun-ANN Fukushima farming areas hope new cesium limits will ease radiation concerns Farming areas affected by the nuclear disaster in Fukushima have expressed hope that a new radiation limit for food will help them promote the safety of local products, but some still wonder whether consumer confidence can be restored. Mainichi Japan’s quake defenses not enough, official reports warn Japan’s defenses against a major tsunami and the safety of its nuclear plants were thrown into further doubt after two official studies predicted much higher waves could hit and that Tokyo quake damage could be bigger than it was prepared for. Reuters ‘Nuclear exchange between India, Pak possible’ Observing that India and Pakistan have a complex history characterised by “animosity, mistrust, and conflict”, a top Pentagon official has warned that there is a potential of a nuclear exchange between them if Islamabad continues to support terror groups against the neighbouring country. Zee News / Examiner Israel says no decision on Middle East nuclear conference Israel’s UN ambassador said Friday that his government has made no decision yet on whether it will attend a proposed international conference on a nuclear weapons free Middle East. AFP Atomic power plants key to reducing weapons-usable nuclear material: official Atomic power plants contribute to reducing weapons-usable nuclear material around the world, a senior presidential official said Thursday, stressing it is unreasonable for anti-nuclear weapons activists to oppose atomic power generation. Korea Times Lithuania signs nuclear power plant deal with Hitachi Lithuania and the Japanese conglomerate Hitachi concluded today (30 March) a concession agreement for the Visaginas Nuclear Power Plant, paving the way for the next phase of project development of what is seen as one of the most advanced nuclear generation projects in Europe. Euractiv / Bloomberg / AFP / WNN India, Brazil sign six pacts A day after the BRICS summit, India and Brazil Friday decided to step up efforts to push the UN reforms and signed half a dozen pacts in areas ranging from science and biotechnology to cultural exchanges. Bombay News Russia ready to build nuclear plants in Britain: official Russia’s state nuclear firm Rosatom said Friday it was ready to replace E.ON and RWE after the two German energy giants pulled out of their British nuclear power joint venture. AFP / Bloomberg Nuclear helped UK cut emissions in 2011 An 8% drop in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the UK in 2011 was helped by an 11% increase in electricity output from the country’s nuclear power plants, provisional figures from the government indicate. WNN Sandia’s Ion Beam Laboratory looks at advanced materials for reactors Sandia National Laboratories is using its Ion Beam Laboratory (IBL) to study how to rapidly evaluate the tougher advanced materials needed to build the next generation of nuclear reactors and extend the lives of current reactors. SPX Opinion and Analysis Real solutions to nuclear deadlock with Iran Boston Globe U.S. Nuclear Arsenal Doesn’t Need Tests to Deter Enemies Bloomberg Could bombing Iran push it to build the bomb? Reuters Obama’s North Korean leap of faith falls short Reuters Russian professors for nuclear 101? Daily Star Korea shows nuclear’s friendly face The National © 2011 International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna International Centre, PO Box 100, A-1400 Vienna, Austria Telephone: (+431) 2600-21273, E-mail: press@iaea.org

]]> http://www.iaea.org/blog/feeds/?p=6163 http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Multimedia/Videos/images/nothumb_160x120.jpg Mon, 02 Apr 2012 07:45:36 +0000 http://www.iaea.org/blog/feeds/?p=6163

Follow IAEA on… 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. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe 30 March 2012 IAEA Daily Press Review IAEA in the News President Basescu: Romania to contribute 30,000 euros to IAEA funds President Traian Basescu said in Seoul on Tuesday that Romania pledged to contribute 30,000 euros to the funds of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Agerpres Other Nuclear News Iran Six Group Hopes for Breakthrough in Talks with Tehran Six world powers are hoping to reach a breakthrough in upcoming talks with Iran over its controversial nuclear program and expect Tehran to fully cooperate on the issue, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said. RIA Novosti Korea Picked as Preferred Bidder for Vietnam Nuclear Plants Korea has been named as the preferred bidder to build a nuclear power plant in Vietnam worth US$20 billion. Chosun Erdogan: No need to strike civilian nuke program Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Iran’s leaders in Tehran on Wednesday, speaking out against any attack on a country “pursuing a peaceful nuclear program,” Iranian state news agency, IRNA reported. Jpost/Reuters BRICS nations recognise Iran’s right to peaceful uses of nuke energy The BRICS on Thursday recognised Iran’s right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy consistent with its international obligations. Hindu Business Line Pyongyang’s New Leader, Nuclear Policy Worry Tokyo North Korea’s development of nuclear and ballistic missile technology against the uncertain political background of a young leader attempting to consolidate power marks a potential new level of danger for regional security, according to a report by the research arm of Japan’s Ministry of Defense. WSJ Operator of crippled Japan nuclear plant seeks another $22 billion to stay afloat The power company behind Japan’s nuclear crisis is seeking another $22 billion from a state-backed fund to avoid insolvency as the cost of compensation and stabilizing damaged reactors swells. AP / ANN Gov’t to seek tougher assessment of nuclear plants’ quake resistance The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency told an expert panel Wednesday it will call on power suppliers to review seismic wave standards for assessing the earthquake resistance of their nuclear power plants on the assumption that a quake more serious than anticipated to date will hit them. Kyodo Work on new Chernobyl sarcophogus to start next month The construction of a new sarcophagus above the defunct Chernobyl Atomic Power Station will begin on April 26, the 26th anniversary of the world’s worst nuclear disaster, Ukraine said Tuesday. AFP RWE and E. On halt UK nuclear plans at Wylfa and Oldbury There has been a setback to the government’s plan to attract investment in new nuclear power stations. BBC Opinion and Analysis Civil nuclear energy vs nuclear weapons Jakarta Post Giving Up Nukes — Is The Post-Soviet Experience A Model For Others RFERL France’s enduring nuclear deterrent BBC Nuclear deal with Vietnam Korea Herald Reducing Nuclear Arms Is Not ‘Alarming.’ It’s Necessary NYT Regional Spotlight: Nuclear arsenals: The forgotten threat Inquirer © 2011 International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna International Centre, PO Box 100, A-1400 Vienna, Austria Telephone: (+431) 2600-21273, E-mail: press@iaea.org

]]> http://www.iaea.org/blog/feeds/?p=6148 http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Multimedia/Videos/images/nothumb_160x120.jpg Thu, 29 Mar 2012 08:56:04 +0000 http://www.iaea.org/blog/feeds/?p=6148

Follow IAEA on… 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. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe 29 March 2012 IAEA Daily Press Review IAEA in the News IAEA reports on Japan’s stress tests The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has published its final report on Japan’s revised nuclear safety assessment process. It found that the new Japanese measures are “generally consistent” with IAEA safety standards, but outlined several areas for improvement. WNN IAEA and Foratom sign cooperation agreement The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and European Atomic Forum have signed an official cooperation agreement. NEI China supports Asian countries China will actively support Asian countries’ nuclear security building, by making necessary financial contribution and through other means. In 2011, China contributed US$200,000 to the IAEA Nuclear Security Fund to support China and other Asian countries’ nuclear security capability building, and will continue to do so in future, according a report released by the Chinese government here today. Pakistan Observer Other Nuclear News US suspends food aid to Pyongyang The United States has suspended its planned nutritional food aid to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) over the latter’s insistence on satellite launch, a Pentagon official said on Wednesday. Xinhua / AlJazeera / ABC News Report: North Korea Fueling Rocket For Launch The Japanese newspaper “Tokyo Shimbun” reported that North Korea has started fueling a rocket for a launch in April that some governments see as a missile test and therefore a violation of UN resolutions prohibiting Pyongyang from testing ballistic missiles. Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty / AFP Korea, Hungary agree to expand trade, enhance nuclear energy cooperation Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Hungarian President Pal Schmitt agreed Thursday to work together to expand bilateral trade and enhance substantial cooperation in nuclear power, science and technology, the presidential office said. Korea Times US, European officials probe Iran nuclear smuggling A dramatic expansion in nuclear and military smuggling investigations should lead to a flood of new criminal cases, primarily against Iranian and Chinese middlemen, U.S. law enforcement officials said on Wednesday. Reuters Tehran Nuclear Talks Set for April in Istanbul Talks between Iran and six major powers on its nuclear program look set to start on April 14 in Istanbul, a senior European Union diplomat said. WSJ Turkey’s PM in Iran for talks on nuclear program President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and other Iranian officials were to discuss Tehran’s disputed nuclear program and the crisis in Syria with visiting Turkish prime minister on Wednesday. AP Probe finds high radiation in damaged Fukushima reactor The operator of Japan’s crippled Fukushima nuclear plant has said damage to one of the reactors is much worse than previously thought. BBC / Daily Mail Japan has lots of plutonium on hand, little way to use it The plutonium Japan has stockpiled for decades was supposed to be a smart energy source for the resource-poor nation. WP China says has improved nuclear security China has taken active measures to improve security of its nuclear arsenal over the past two years, says a report released by the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad on Wednesday. Daily Times Bulgaria abandons Belene nuclear plant plans Bulgaria has abandoned plans to build the 2,000 megawatt Belene nuclear power plant on the Danube River and will construct a new gas power plant instead, a deputy finance minister was quoted as saying on Wednesday. Reuters / AP / BBC UK to share previously secret expertise on detecting illegally trafficked nuclear material Britain plans to share previously secret expertise on detecting the illegal trafficking of radiological material and halting potential nuclear terrorism, the country’s deputy prime minister told a security summit Tuesday. AP Kenya’s nuclear energy drive to boost electricity supply Kenya is gearing up for a revision of its energy policy to establish a regulatory system for overseeing the potential opening of the country’s first private-sector nuclear power plant. Power Engineering Capsule for Removing Radioactive Contamination from Milk, Fruit Juices, Other Beverages Amid concerns about possible terrorist attacks with nuclear materials, and fresh memories of environmental contamination from the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in Japan, scientists have described the development of a capsule that can be dropped into water, milk, fruit juices and other foods to remove more than a dozen radioactive substances. Science Daily Opinion and Analysis Nuclear is the way forward Hindustan Times Think Like a Dragon: The Global Lessons of China’s Nuclear Program Atlantic Japan’s postwar nuclear policy lingers Mainichi © 2011 International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna International Centre, PO Box 100, A-1400 Vienna, Austria Telephone: (+431) 2600-21273, E-mail: press@iaea.org

]]> http://www.iaea.org/blog/feeds/?p=6141 http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Multimedia/Videos/images/nothumb_160x120.jpg Wed, 28 Mar 2012 08:55:47 +0000 http://www.iaea.org/blog/feeds/?p=6141

Follow IAEA on… 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. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe 28 March 2012 IAEA Daily Press Review IAEA in the News Korean nuclear envoy, IAEA chief discuss NK’s rocket plan South Korea’s top nuclear envoy held talks in Seoul on Wednesday with the United Nations nuclear chief to coordinate possible steps in response to North Korea’s plan to launch a rocket next month to put a satellite into orbit, a Seoul official said. Korea Times / Bloomberg IAEA says safety at Japan’s nuclear plants up to par The U.N.’s atomic agency said Tuesday that safety criteria for Japan’s nuclear power stations generally met its standards, a year after the Fukushima disaster. Japan Today / AFP Cameroon: Radiation Safety – African Experts Brainstorm in Yaounde A five-day international workshop to this effect began at the Mont Febe Hotel on Monday March 26, 2012. … It is a project of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). All Africa Nuclear Security Summit (Nuclear summit) Leaders make fresh commitments toward safer world without nuclear terror Global leaders made fresh commitments Tuesday toward building a safer world without nuclear terrorism, presenting pledged reductions of weapons-grade fissile material, either completed or under way, as evidence that the two-year-old Nuclear Security Summit process is working. Yonhap / AP / Korea Times [Australia] PM wants more power for nuclear watchdog Prime Minister Julia Gillard wants the international nuclear watchdog beefed up to help ensure radioactive material never ends up in terrorist hands. AAP / ABC / Big Pond [India] India cites progress on nuclear security, safety Acknowledging the negative impact the Fukushima disaster has had on the acceptability of atomic power, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told a gathering of world leaders here on Tuesday that the synergy between the “highest standards of safety and security … is essential to restore public faith in nuclear energy.” The Hindu [Jordan] King: We will declare nuclear anti-smuggling team in Seoul His Majesty King Abdullah II said that “one of our priorities at the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit is to put special recommendations on ways of combating nuclear terrorism, take measures to ensure safe management of nuclear facilities and support joint efforts to prevent the smuggling of nuclear and radioactive materials. Petra [Lithuania] Lithuania will contribute to countering nuclear smuggling At the Nuclear Security Summit held to address the measures and initiatives for enhancing nuclear security, President Dalia Grybauskaite introduced Lithuania’s practical contribution to combating nuclear smuggling. Baltic Review [Malaysia] International Community Must Take Pre-emptive Action to Ensure Nuclear Security – Muhyiddin The International community must strengthen the capacity of individual states to maintain effective control and undertake pre-emptive action to ensure nuclear security, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said at the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit, Tuesday. Bernama [New Zealand] NZ contributes to nuclear security project New Zealand is contributing $500,000 towards a US-led project to send highly enriched uranium from Uzbekistan back to Russia to be securely stored, Prime Minister John Key has announced. NZN [Nigeria] Nigeria leads Africa in nuclear security issues Nigeria’s significant role in the global effort to control nuclear power and enhance its security got a boost in the ongoing two-day Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, South Korea, as the Federal Government takes the leadership position in coordinating the African regional outreach of the summit. Tribune [ROK, Vietnam, IAEA] ROK, Vietnam, IAEA to pilot radioactivity tracking South Korea, Vietnam and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Tuesday have discussed a pilot project to track radioactive sources to bolster nuclear security and help reduce the risk of nuclear terrorism. Xinhua [Russia] Russia backs IAEA’s idea for nuclear security conference Russia backs the idea of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to hold an international conference dedicated to physical and nuclear security in 2013, RIA Novosti reports. Focus News [Saudi Arabia] KSA strives to avoid nuclear accidents Saudi Arabia confirmed its keenness to exert all possible efforts to avoid nuclear risks and accidents and said that it has signed the most important international conventions and treaties on the peaceful and safe uses of nuclear energy. Saudi Gazette [Singapore] PM Lee calls on IAEA to strengthen links with region Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has called on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to strengthen links with regional organisations like Asean, where countries are embarking on nuclear energy use for the first time. Straits Times [Thailand] Yingluck allays nuclear transit point fears Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has vowed that her government will try to prevent Thailand from being used as a transit point for nuclear weapons to help the international community’s fight against terrorism. Bangkok Post [Vietnam] Vietnam active in international efforts for nuclear security Vietnam has been involved in the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) and is considering approving the Additional Protocol (AP) of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). VNA – VOV [Canada, Russia, United States] At nuclear summit, concern over Nordion’s deal to process Russian uranium A Canadian company’s deal with Russia to sell medical isotopes produced with weapons-grade uranium was criticized by the U.S. secretary of energy and other senior officials at a major nuclear security summit on Monday. Postmedia News / Bloomberg Other Nuclear News N. Korea to complete building of light water reactor by year-end: N. Korea scholar North Korea plans to complete construction of a light-water nuclear reactor at its main nuclear complex in Yongbyon by the end of the year with immediate operation in sight, a senior North Korean economist said Monday. Kyodo ‘New reactor design will boost Korea’s competitiveness’ Spurred by its robust drive to export nuclear plant technology, Korea will be rolling out a next-generation reactor that is safer, better performing, built faster and more cost-effective next year, the industry’s top expert said. Korea Herald Noda Says Nuclear Crisis Caught Japan Off-Guard As Japan debates whether it should restart some of its suspended nuclear reactors, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda bluntly admitted to the world’s leaders Tuesday that the country was caught off-guard by the Fukushima accident but stayed mum on whether safety concerns will change Japan’s nuclear energy policy. WSJ New Japanese regulatory regime as restarts approach Japan has moved a step closer to restarting the first of its nuclear reactors to be kept off line for tests following the Fukushima accident. Meanwhile, details on the country’s revamped nuclear regulatory regime are starting to emerge. WNN Korean nuclear experts en route to Abu Dhabi Up to 20 Korean nuclear experts are expected to be on site by as early as July to monitor the construction of Abu Dhabi’s nuclear reactors. National Bidding Starts for Olkiluoto While the bidding process for construction of a fourth reactor at Finland’s Olkiluoto site has been launched, the country needs to invest in the future workforce for nuclear industry and regulation. WNN 9-member team to conduct engineering audit on plant An engineering audit team to inspect, regulate and ensure that the Lynas Advanced Material Plant follows strict guidelines as outlined by the government, has been formed. New Strait Times Opinion and Analysis Is nuclear terrorism preventable? Al-Jazeera Nuclear bomb in Washington wouldn’t destroy city: US AP © 2011 International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna International Centre, PO Box 100, A-1400 Vienna, Austria Telephone: (+431) 2600-21273, E-mail: press@iaea.org

]]> http://www.iaea.org/blog/feeds/?p=6132 http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Multimedia/Videos/images/nothumb_160x120.jpg Tue, 27 Mar 2012 09:10:33 +0000 http://www.iaea.org/blog/feeds/?p=6132

Follow IAEA on… 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. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe 27 March 2012 IAEA Daily Press Review IAEA in the News Seoul Nuclear Security Summit Communique We, the leaders, gathered in Seoul on March 26-27, 2012, renew the political commitments generated from the 2010 Washington Nuclear Security Summit to work toward strengthening nuclear security, reducing the threat of nuclear terrorism, and preventing terrorists, criminals, or other unauthorized actors from acquiring nuclear materials. Nuclear terrorism continues to be one of the most challenging threats to international security. Defeating this threat requires strong national measures and international cooperation given its potential global political, economic, social, and psychological consequences. India Blooms UAE keen to improving global nuclear security infrastructure His Highness General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, announced the UAE contribution of a million US dollars towards the expansion and enhancement of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Safeguards Analytical Laboratory (SAL) and the hosting in October 2013 of an international conference on strategies and techniques for maintaining continuous control of radioactive sources throughout their life cycle. WAM Official: North Korea moves long-range rocket to launch pad Just hours after the United States warned that North Korea would achieve nothing with threats or provocations, Pyongyang moved a long-range rocket it plans to test fire to a launch pad Monday, a South Korean defense ministry official said. …The U.N. nuclear watchdog agency’s director general, Yukiya Amano, said the U.S.-North Korea deal is “not over” despite Pyongyang’s plans to launch the rocket. CNN Kenya’s nuclear agency gets IAEA support to build capacity The Nuclear Electricity Project Committee has rolled out a project in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency to build the human resource capacity for the nuclear power programme in Kenya. NTV India offers help in search of orphan radioactive soucres Offering assistance through the global nuclear watchdog IAEA, India today said that it can help in search and recovery of orphan radioactive sources in countries that were unable to effectively deal with them. PTI Other Nuclear News World Leaders Pledge to Secure Loose Nuclear Material by 2014 World leaders pledged to secure all vulnerable nuclear material by 2014 and to boost security to keep the ingredients for atomic weapons out of the hands of terrorists. Bloomberg / Telegraph / WSJ / Nature News Blog World’s security depends on nuclear summit: Obama Nuclear terrorism remains a global threat and the safety of the world depends on decisions taken at a summit in the South Korean capital, US President Barack Obama said on Tuesday. AFP Nuclear terrorism still a threat- Obama US President Barack Obama has warned Prime Minister Julia Gillard and other world leaders the threat of nuclear terrorism remains very real and extremists could kill hundreds of thousands with just a handful of nuclear material. Sky News U.S., Mexico, Canada Enter Into Nuclear Security Agreement The United States, Mexico and Canada have entered into a trilateral nuclear security agreement under which fuel in a Mexican research reactor will be converted from highly-enriched uranium (HEU) to low-enriched uranium (LEU). IBTimes / GSN Indonesia boosts ties with three countries President Susilo Bambang Yu-dhoyono had bilateral meetings on Monday with the leaders of Pakistan, Norway and Denmark on the sidelines of the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, South Korea Jakarta Post Iran capable of building pool-type nuclear reactors: AEOI head Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran says the country is capable of designing and building pool-type nuclear reactors under the supervision of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Press TV Obama: all highly enriched uranium moved from Ukraine US President Barack Obama said Sunday that all highly enriched uranium had been removed from Ukraine, hailing it as an important step towards curbing the threat of nuclear terrorism. AFP Carelessness could be greatest threat of a dirty bomb At a hospital in a major US city, medical equipment used to sterilise blood with radioactive caesium-137 is secured in room with a sturdy padlock on the door. And the lock’s combination is written on the door frame. National India pitches for membership of 4 exclusive nuclear clubs India today made a strong pitch for membership of four exclusive nuclear clubs contending that it would help strengthen its export control systems and maintain the highest international standards of its nuclear programme. Indian Express Nigeria leads Africa in nuclear security issues Nigeria’s significant role in the global effort to control nuclear power and enhance its security got a boost in the ongoing two-day Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, South Korea, as the Federal Government takes the leadership position in coordinating the African regional outreach of the summit. Tribune Sweden secretly shipped plutonium to US: Bildt Sweden recently carried out a secret operation in which three kilogrammes of plutonium was shipped to the United States, foreign minister Carl Bildt divulged on Tuesday. Local Opinion and Analysis How nations risk nuclear terrorism CNN Nuclear-free world Penisula Qatar What Iran Can Learn From Kazakhstan NYT © 2011 International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna International Centre, PO Box 100, A-1400 Vienna, Austria Telephone: (+431) 2600-21273, E-mail: press@iaea.org

]]> http://www.iaea.org/blog/feeds/?p=6130 http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Multimedia/Videos/images/nothumb_160x120.jpg Mon, 26 Mar 2012 07:22:00 +0000 http://www.iaea.org/blog/feeds/?p=6130

Follow IAEA on… 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. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe 26 March 2012 IAEA Daily Press Review IAEA in the News IAEA expects tangible measures against nuclear terrorism at summit The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expects the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit to create “tangible steps” to prevent nuclear and other weapons-usable radioactive materials from falling into the hands of terrorists and other non-state actors. Korea Times Nuclear medicine: a vital but troubled industry Ahead of this week’s Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, there has been scant progress in addressing the concerns surrounding this other major use of atomic technology, despite the problems being known for years, experts say. … In its draft Nuclear Safety Review 2012 seen by AFP, the UN atomic agency says that the five main reactors have all reported “age-related problems”, meaning expensive repairs and production halts that have played havoc with global supply. AFP / AP Other Nuclear News Nuclear Security Summit opens today The Seoul Nuclear Security Summit will start today for a two-day run, during which leaders from 58 countries and international organizations will adopt concrete measures to prevent any weapons-use nuclear materials from falling into the hands of terrorists. Korea Times / Kyodo / Xinhua / Dawn / ITAR-TASS Obama warns of nuclear terrorism threat US President Barack Obama warned on Monday that nuclear terrorism remained one of the world’s biggest threats, as he called for greater urgency in safeguarding the world’s atomic stockpiles. AFP / Sky News Malaysia committed to combat nuclear terrorism Malaysia has made significant progress in fulfilling commitments agreed to at the inaugural Nuclear Security Summit in Washington in 2010, including strengthening its legislative framework, said Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. New Strait Times Missing Nukes Fuel Terror Concerns at Seoul Meeting The second global conference ever on nuclear material that has escaped state control is drawing US President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Bloomberg Obama Vows to Pursue Nuclear Cuts with Russia US President Barack Obama vowed on Monday to pursue further nuclear arms cuts with Russia, saying the United States has more warheads than necessary, even as he issued stern warnings to North Korea and Iran in their nuclear standoffs with the West. Reuters Obama to reaffirm pledge on nuclear arms cuts U.S. President Barack Obama will voice confidence on Monday that the United States can further reduce its nuclear weapons stockpile while maintaining its strategic deterrent and international commitments, a White House official said. Reuters North Korea and Iran Will Dominate Nuclear Summit Meeting in Seoul President Obama will join the leaders of more than 50 countries here next week for a nuclear security summit meeting, where fears about two rogue states, North Korea and Iran, will loom over a meeting ostensibly about the perils of nuclear terrorism. NYT (Nuclear summit) U.N. chief urges ‘new efforts’ on global nuclear security governance U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Friday the world should strengthen the rule of law to address challenges of nuclear terrorism, calling for “new efforts” on a global nuclear security governance. Yonhap KHNP hosts industry summit, steps up safety Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. said it has been stepping up its efforts to boost safety and energy security as the operator of the country’s 23 nuclear power plants. Korea Herald Obama holds out hand to North Korea – and issues warning US President Barack Obama told North Korea Monday that the United States was reaching out to its one-time wartime foe and urging it to work with the international community on its nuclear programme and choose peace and prosperity instead of isolation. dpa Russian, S.Korean Leaders to Discuss Nuclear Problem Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will discuss the North Korean nuclear problem with his South Korean counterpart Lee Myung-bak on the sidelines of the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit, which opens on Monday. RIA Novosti Obama says still time for diplomacy with Iran U.S. President Barack Obama said on Sunday there was still time to resolve the Iranian nuclear standoff with the West through diplomacy but that the window for such a solution was closing. Reuters Japanese nuclear reactor shuts down Another Japanese nuclear reactor was taken off line for maintenance on Monday, leaving the country with only one of its 54 reactors operational following last year’s devastating earthquake and tsunami. AAP / AP / AFP Japan Watchdog OKs Stress Test Results for Oi Plant Reactors The Nuclear Safety Commission at a meeting on Friday endorsed a report from an industry ministry-affiliated agency approving the results of a first-stage stress test on the No. 3 and No. 4 reactors at Kansai Electric Power Co.’s Oi nuclear plant in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan. Jiji Press Fugen reactor decommissioning to be postponed 5 yrs The Japan Atomic Energy Agency said Thursday it will postpone the planned decommissioning of the prototype advanced converter reactor Fugen in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, for five years until fiscal 2033. Kyodo Russia Doubles Nuclear Exports The head of Russia’s nuclear monopoly has said the country doubled foreign orders to build nuclear reactors last year and has a $50 billion order book for the next decade. RFERL Iran willing to work with Russia on more nuclear power plants Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) head Fereidoon Abbasi said his country is willing to work with Russia on more nuclear power plants, reports said Sunday. Economic Times Uranium from eight sites soon to fuel nuclear reactors The department of atomic energy (DAE) has identified eight sites in India to mine uranium to fuel nuclear reactors in the country. Deccan Chronicle Nuclear waste consultation closes Friday marks the end of a consultation that could determine the fate of the UK’s high-level radioactive waste. BBC Opinion and Analysis Time to better secure radioactive materials WP Seoul Summit: A View From Moscow WT Nuclear energy will power UAE Gulf News UAE’s nuclear model favours full transparency National Editorial © 2011 International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna International Centre, PO Box 100, A-1400 Vienna, Austria Telephone: (+431) 2600-21273, E-mail: press@iaea.org

]]> http://www.iaea.org/blog/feeds/?p=6122 http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Multimedia/Videos/images/nothumb_160x120.jpg Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:11:23 +0000 http://www.iaea.org/blog/feeds/?p=6122 IAEA in the News

Missing Nukes Fuel Terror Concern as Seoul Meeting Draws Obama The second global conference ever on nuclear material that has escaped state control is drawing President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Nuclear violators Iran and North Korea won’t be there. Bloomberg

Other Nuclear News

Nuclear industry calls for greater role in security, safety Global energy leaders on Friday called on the industry to take on a greater role in bolstering nuclear security and safety as the world must cope with the threat of natural disasters and terrorists elements. Yonhap News

Seoul Nuclear Security Summit to open Monday The two-day Nuclear Security Summit kicks off Monday in Seoul, bringing together leaders of 53 countries and four international organizations for discussions on how to combat nuclear threats and enhance nuclear security and safety. Korea Herald / Arirang

Zuma to attends nuke summit President Jacob Zuma is to attend the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit in the South Korean capital, Seoul, next week.
/ SAPA

N. Korea nuclear issue will be on minds of summit players Though North Korea’s nuclear program isn’t on the official agenda of next week’s Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, President Obama’s concerns about the hermetic regime will loom large in conversations on the sidelines of formal talks.
/ USA Today

Yudhoyono sees Seoul summit as ‘golden opportunity’ to ensure nuclear security Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said next week’s global nuclear summit in Seoul will present world leaders with a “golden opportunity” to tackle the threat of nuclear terrorism and make the world a safer place for this generation and the next.
/ Korea Herald

Nuclear security push slowing down, analysts say As leaders from more than 50 nations prepare for a major summit on nuclear security next week in Seoul, efforts to achieve President Obama’s lofty goal of locking down loose nuclear material around the world by 2014 could be losing steam, analysts say.
/ USA Today

Ban to raise N Korea launch at summit UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Thursday he would raise North Korea’s planned rocket launch at a Seoul nuclear summit next week, expressing “deep concern” over the issue. AFP

US Weighs Progress of Securing Global Nuclear Materials It was almost three years ago that President Barack Obama gave his April speech in Prague on his vision of a world free of nuclear weapons. …This effort, and how effective it has been, will be a key topic at the March 26 Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, South Korea. Epoch Times

Six Party Iran Talks to Take Place in April A meeting of the six-party group on Iran’s nuclear program will likely be held in April, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Depty Head Sergei Ryabkov said on Thursday. RIA Novosti

Intel shows Iran nuclear threat not imminent The United States, European allies and even Israel generally agree on three things about Iran’s nuclear program: Tehran does not have a bomb, has not decided to build one, and is probably years away from having a deliverable nuclear warhead. Reuters

Security experts debate outlook for nuclear Iran Security experts gathered in Doha this week in an attempt to make sense of the confusion surrounding the Iranian nuclear programme. Among their thoughts was that the GCC countries are best-placed to suggest solutions. National

Japan mayors, governors want nuclear safety assurances Most Japanese mayors and governors whose communities host nuclear plants want fresh safety assurances beyond government-imposed stress tests before agreeing to the restart of reactors taken off line after the Fukushima crisis, a Reuters poll showed, amid concerns about a looming power crunch this summer. Reuters

Opinion and Analysis

The Seoul Nuclear Security Summit: Discovering An Agenda – Analysis IPCS

Can Fast Reactors Speedily Solve Plutonium Problems? Scientific American

IAEA says nuclear security improving, more to be done More still needs to be done to safeguard nuclear and radioactive materials given the scores of security incidents the U.N. atomic agency hears about each year, a senior official said on Wednesday. Reuters

U.N. nuclear agency starts talks with North Korea over visit The U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Thursday it had begun talks with North Korea over Pyongyang’s invitation for it to visit the country, three years after its inspectors were expelled from the reclusive Asian state. Reuters / Yonhap

Other Nuclear News

Hecker: More Certain NK Has More Uranium The American scientist to whom North Korea decided in 2010 to reveal its uranium enrichment program, Siegfried Hecker, says he’s become more persuaded since that time that he didn’t see all of it. WSJ

N. Korea blasts Seoul over upcoming summit North Korea Wednesday sharpened its criticism of an upcoming Seoul summit, saying any South Korean attempt to address the North’s nuclear programme at the meeting would be seen as a declaration of war. AFP / VoA / NYT

Five nations to press N. Korea on rocket launch Leaders of five nations will discuss ways to press North Korea to scrap a planned rocket launch when they meet next week at a Seoul summit, South Korea’s president said in interviews published on Wednesday. AFP

Ready to start on Chernobyl shelter The first batch of steel has arrived at Chernobyl for the giant arched structure that will protect the ruined power plant and enable its dismantling. Assembly of the arch is set to begin next month. WNN

Ukraine officials: Chernobyl decontamination ineffective A Ukrainian official, citing the Chernobyl disaster as an example, said Japan must continue monitoring radiation levels around the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant because decontamination work–no matter how expensive–may prove futile. Asahi

As Reactors Age, the Money to Close Them Lags The operators of 20 of the nation’s aging nuclear reactors, including some whose licenses expire soon, have not saved nearly enough money for prompt and proper dismantling. If it turns out that they must close, the owners intend to let them sit like industrial relics for 20 to 60 years or even longer while interest accrues in the reactors’ retirement accounts. NYT

Opinion and Analysis

Nuclear security cooperation China Daily

Why nuclear security matters The Asian

The Bomb and the Bomber NYT

Israel to phase out civilian atomic reactor by 2018 Israel is phasing out a civilian nuclear reactor to which it has admitted foreign inspectors while keeping a second reactor, widely believed to have produced atom bombs, off-limits, officials said on Tuesday. Reuters / YWN

Nuclear Risks at Bed, Bath & Beyond Show Dangers of Scrap Going shopping? Don’t forget your wallet and credit card. Or Geiger counter. … The Vienna-based IAEA is working with the scrap-metal industry to draft more stringent rules to increase radiation monitoring, bolster reporting requirements and improve disposal. Bloomberg

Other Nuclear News

Flurry of Summits Planned on Sidelines of Seoul Nuclear Meet Both U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao will hold back-to-back meetings with leaders from other countries during the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul next Monday and Tuesday. Chosun

EU’s Van Rompuy eyes ‘concrete commitments’ at nuclear summit European Council President Herman Van Rompuy called for “concrete commitments” to prevent threats of nuclear terrorism and tighten control of atomic safety at next week’s Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul. Yonhap

Summit aims for world without nuclear weapon The Republic of Korea (ROK) President Lee Myung-bak said Monday that the ultimate goal of the upcoming Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) in Seoul is to obtain a “world without nuclear weapons.” Xinhua

Terror fear leads nuclear call Stopping terrorist attacks on the world’s nuclear stockpile – enough uranium and plutonium to build an estimated 12,000 atomic bombs – will be a key focus of a special summit of world leaders in South Korea. Brisbane Times

Washington Welcomes N. Korea Invitation of Nuclear Experts The United States has welcomed North Korea’s move to invite UN nuclear experts to resume monitoring its nuclear program, but cautioned Pyongyang against a planned satellite launch. RIA Novosti

N. Korea says its rocket launch not contradictory to nuke deal with U.S. North Korea said that its planned rocket launch has nothing to do with a recent nuclear deal with the United States, in an apparent diplomatic offensive to fend off growing international pressure over its latest provocation. Yonhap

China says it held ‘frank’ talks with N Korea envoy China said Tuesday it had held “frank” talks with North Korea’s chief nuclear negotiator, after Pyongyang announced it had invited UN inspectors to monitor a nuclear deal with the United States. AFP

Iran will produce nuclear weapons if attacked: Russia Russia warned Tuesday that Iran would have no option but to develop nuclear weapons if it came under attack from either the United States or Israel over its contested atomic programme. AFP

Nuclear repository gets OK Trucks carrying low-level radioactive waste from 38 states will likely be rolling along Texas highways as early as April, bound for permanent burial at a dump near the New Mexico border. AP

U.S. Nukes Face Up to 10 Million Cyber Attacks Daily The head of the National Nuclear Security Administration says America’s nuclear weapons face a massive number of cyber attacks every day, and are calling for a budget increase in order to enhance security. US News and World Report

Swiss plan to shut down nuclear plant by 2022 The Swiss operator of one of Europe’s oldest commercial nuclear reactors says it plans to shut the plant by 2022. AP

Opinion and Analysis

Kudankulam Reloaded: Why India needs nuclear energy Economic Times

The Only Option on Iran NYT

How bad would Iran be with the bomb? Washington Post

U.N. nuclear watchdog says it received North Korea invitation The United Nations nuclear watchdog said on Monday it had received an invitation from North Korea to visit, three years after its inspectors were expelled from the reclusive Asian state for the second time. Reuters / AP / BBC / Xinhua / AFP

A year after Fukushima: total check of world nuclear power sector An international session of IAEA experts dedicated to nuclear reactors and safe disposal of spent nuclear fuel begins in Vienna on Monday. Voice of Russia

Other Nuclear News

China, North Korea hold 2nd meeting on planned rocket launch: state media Chinese and North Korean officials have held their second meeting in five days to discuss the North’s planned rocket launch, state media said late on Monday, suggesting Beijing may be increasing pressure on Pyongyang against the launch. Reuters / Reuters

Hopes riding on talks to defuse tense Iran situation Hopes are riding high that mooted talks between Iran and world powers will de-escalate a dangerous showdown over Tehran’s controversial nuclear programme. AFP

Israelis agree Iran hasn’t decided to construct nuclear bomb Despite saber-rattling from Jerusalem, Israeli officials now agree with the U.S. assessment that Tehran has not yet decided on the actual construction of a nuclear bomb, according to senior Israeli government and defense figures. AP

PM to attend Korean nuclear security talks Prime Minister Julia Gillard will join other world leaders for nuclear security talks next week, but the Iranian and North Korean nuclear programs won’t be on the agenda. AAP

Japan watchdog approves stress test for Ikata reactor Japan’s nuclear watchdog on Monday compiled a report approving first-stage stress tests for the 890-megawatt No.3 reactor at Shikoku Electric Power Co Inc’s Ikata nuclear plant in western Japan. Reuters

Pond investigation towards Fukushima fuel removal The fuel pond of Fukushima Daiichi 4 will be inspected by an underwater robot this month as an early step in the program of work to remove the used nuclear fuel from the building. WNN

Kudankulam nuclear plant gets Jaya go-ahead With Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa giving the nod for the Kudankulam nuclear power plants, Russia said that it was going to send its scientists to the site on Tuesday to start commissioning work for the first unit of the reactors. TNN / India Today / CNN-IBN / WNN

Ukraine nears completion of removing weapons-grade uranium Ukraine is close to the final stage of eliminating its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium as announced under a landmark agreement with the United States two years ago intended to prevent nuclear terrorism, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich said. Yonhap

Opinion and Analysis

Momentum stalls on Obama nuclear agenda Reuters

U.S. Faces a Tricky Task in Assessment of Data on Iran NYT

Why Iranian Public Opinion Is Turning Against the Nuclear Program The Atlantic

Vietnam, Russia ink nuclear fuel rods deal Vietnam and Russia have signed an inter-governmental agreement on transporting highly enriched uranium fuel rods used by Da Lat nuclear reactor into Russia. .. The program was jointly initiated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the US and Russia to manage HEU fuel used in research reactors manufactured by the US and Russia to prevent the use of this source of fuel for non-peaceful purposes. VNA

Jordan – Search for Nuclear Reactor Site Expands Energy officials have expanded their search for a reactor site in Mafraq amidst ongoing resistance from residents of the northern city. …”We are expanding our search for a preferred site near Khirbet Samra in line with International Atomic Energy Agency guidelines,” JAEC Chairman Khaled Toukan told the Jordan Times. Jordan Times

Other Nuclear News

Lee: Nuclear Security Summit expected to produce concrete outcomes President Lee Myung-bak said Monday that countries participating in this month’s Nuclear Security Summit are expected to make specific commitments to reduce fissile material stockpiles in an effort to help realize a world without nuclear weapons. Yonhap

Korea to boast nuke tech supremacy South Korea will unveil homegrown technology that could significantly reduce the risk of nuclear terrorism for the first time in the world at the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit. Korea Times

N. Korea seeking to develop nuclear missile: Seoul South Korea accused North Korea Monday of trying to develop a nuclear-armed missile through a satellite launch next month, after Pyongyang dismissed international calls to abandon the exercise. AFP

Nuclear Safety Commission approves restart of long-dormant reactor Canada’s nuclear regulator has given Bruce Power the green light to restart the Unit 2 reactor, which has been offline for more than 15 years, the Ontario power utility said on Friday. Reuters

Bulgaria set to abandon Belene nuclear project Bulgaria is set to abandon its plans to build a new, 2000 megawatt nuclear power plant on the Danube River for which it has contracted Russian state firm Atomstroyexport, Prime Minister Boiko Borisov said on Friday. Reuters

Atomic board seeks to tighten regulation of radiation materials Careless handling of Cobalt-60, a ‘legacy source’ of category I radiation material at a scrap market in Mayapuri, west Delhi in April 2010 and its even more careless disposal by the department of chemistry, Delhi University has prompted Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) to put in place web-based systems that can help track such materials from cradle to grave. TNN

Cesium found in plankton almost 375 miles from Fukushima nuclear plant Radioactive cesium believed to have been released during the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in Japan following last year’s major earthquake has been found in plankton about 600 kilometers (nearly 375 miles) east of the facility, according to a Japan-U.S. joint research team. Yomiuri Shimbun

80% in Japan support nuclear phase-out: poll Eighty percent of Japanese want to phase out the country’s reliance on nuclear power and eventually eliminate it, a poll said Sunday, a year after Japan was hit by a massive nuclear disaster. AFP

Opinion and Analysis

Why North Korea talks must go on Asia Times

For the US, No Good Options in North Korea Nuclear Talks Jakarta Globe

The Parchin Trap FP

German lab peers behind nuclear curtains Global leaders doubt statements from Iran and North Korea about the state of their nuclear programs. At the Institute for Transuranium Elements dust particles are analyzed to find out who is building what and why. …Countries that allow in weapons inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would find it virtually impossible to keep nuclear programs a secret these days. DW

Top Iran official calls for cooperation from West in return for ‘transparency’ Iran says it wants more clarity from the IAEA before it allows inspectors into the Parchin military complex south of Tehran, one of Iran’s most influential officials said Wednesday. CNN