Daily News: 01/2013

January 31, 2013

Diane Barnes, "Focus on Base Divides Iran Watchers" Global Security Newswire / January 30, 2013 WASHINGTON -- A yearlong push by international nuclear investigators to visit a military base in Iran has divided issue experts between defenders of the effort and critics who warn it could undercut a wider probe into the nation's atomic activities.... View Source ›

Fredrik Dahl, "Defiant Iran plans to speed up nuclear fuel work" Reuters / January 31, 2013 Iran has announced plans to install advanced uranium enrichment machines in what would be a technological leap allowing it to significantly speed up production of material the West fears could be put to developing nuclear weapons.... View Source ›

"Iran never intends to halt nuclear talks: Salehi" The Tehran Times / January 31, 2013 Iran said on Wednesday it never intended to break off the talks with world powers aimed at finding a diplomatic solution to the decade-old dispute over Tehran’s nuclear program. ... View Source ›

"More Activity Spotted at North Korea Atomic Test Site" Global Security Newswire / January 30, 2013 Surveillance of North Korea's atomic test site shows a heightened level of movement by vehicles and personnel, further lending credence to the view that a third nuclear detonation is imminent, the Yonhap News Agency reported on Wednesday.... View Source ›

Steve Herman, "S. Korea Issues Warning to North Against Nuclear Test" Voice of America / January 31, 2013 SEOUL — South Korea is issuing its sternest warning yet to North Korea not to conduct another nuclear test, which some officials in Seoul and Washington say may be imminent.... View Source ›

David S. Cloud and Michael A. Memoli, "Hagel to stress opposition to a nuclear Iran in Senate testimony" L.A. Times / January 31, 2013 WASHINGTON -- President Obama’s nominee for secretary of Defense, former Sen. Chuck Hagel, will stress at his confirmation hearing Thursday that he opposes letting Iran acquire nuclear weapons and will focus on developing military options to set back Tehran’s program, according to a U.S. official familiar with his planned testimony.... View Source ›

Chris Schneidmiller, "New Work Plan Prepared for Disarmament Body" Global Security Newswire / January 30, 2013 WASHINGTON – The latest president of the Conference on Disarmament has prepared a tentative work plan aimed at breaking the body’s long history of failing to move ahead with the negotiation of new arms control treaties.... View Source ›

January 30, 2013

"CTBTO, Experts Stand Ready to Detect Feared N. Korea Nuke Test" Global Security Newswire / January 29, 2013 The international nuclear test detection organization on Tuesday announced that its global network of monitoring centers were standing by to detect signs of an underground atomic detonation by North Korea, which has been threatening to carry out a third nuclear test, the Associated Press reported.... View Source ›

"South Korea launches rocket weeks after archrival North Korea put satellite into space" Associated Press / January 30, 2013 SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea said Wednesday it successfully launched a satellite into space from its own soil for the first time, a point of national pride that came weeks after archrival North Korea accomplished a similar feat to the surprise of the world.... View Source ›

Douglas P. Guarino, "Improved Confidence in Russian Vow to Limit HEU May Stall Import Ban" Global Security Newswire / January 29, 2013 WASHINGTON -- A growing confidence among U.S. officials that Russia is serious about limiting the use of highly enriched uranium in the production of radiological isotopes for medical procedures may slow efforts to establish an HEU import ban, sources say.... View Source ›

"‘No flexibility yet’ in Russia-US relations – PM Medvedev" RT / January 28, 2013 Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev says that despite earlier hopes and Barack Obama's promises, Washington’s position on the missile shield is still driving the two countries apart. “No ease in relations over missile defense, no flexibility arose. We stand at the same positions – the position of the United States is one, the position of the Russian Federation is, unfortunately, different. And the convergence of these positions is not happening,” Medvedev told CNN.... View Source ›

Diane Barnes, "Clinton Hopes to Avert North Korean Nuclear Test" Global Security Newswire / January 29, 2013 WASHINGTON -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton voiced hope on Tuesday that international action could persuade North Korea to refrain from conducting a new nuclear test, but she declined to suggest how the international community might react if Pyongyang follows through on threats to carry out the move.... View Source ›

Fredrik Dahl, "U.N. nuclear watchdog backs Iran's denial of Fordow blast" Reuters / January 29, 2013 The U.N. atomic watchdog made clear on Tuesday it had seen no sign of any explosion at one of Iran's most sensitive nuclear plants, backing up Tehran's denial of media reports that such an incident had taken place last week.... View Source ›

"Saudi nuclear intentions concern Canada, notes show" The Star Phoenix / January 29, 2013 Canadian officials have expressed private concerns about Saudi Arabia's nuclear intentions, repeating in internal documents their fears that the Persian Gulf state could try to acquire atomic weapons if Iran managed to acquire the bomb.... View Source ›

January 29, 2013

Diane Barnes, "Iran Seen Pressing Ahead With Building at Suspect Base" Global Security Newswire / January 28, 2013 WASHINGTON -- New satellite images indicate Iran has pressed forward with building activities at a military base thought to have hosted experiments relevant to nuclear weapons development, a think tank in Washington said on Friday.... View Source ›

"North Korea Nuclear Test Confirmation Almost Impossible" Associated Press / January 29, 2013 SEOUL, South Korea -- North Korea appears all set to detonate an atomic device, but confirming the explosion when it takes place will be virtually impossible for outsiders, specialists said Tuesday.... View Source ›

"North Korea Says it Must Detonate Nuke Device" Global Security Newswire / January 28, 2013 North Korea on Saturday said it had no choice but to detonate another atomic device, Agence France-Presse reported. Pyongyang threatened to carry out its third nuclear test last week in response to a fresh U.N. Security Council rebuke of the North's December launch of a long-range rocket, which was widely viewed as another trial of ballistic missile technology.... View Source ›

"China carries out anti-missile test" Reuters / January 27, 2013 BEIJING (Reuters) - China tested emerging military technology aimed at destroying missiles in mid-air after an initial test in 2010, state media said on Sunday, in a move that will unnerve its neighbors. A brief report by the official Xinhua news agency said the military carried out a "land-based mid-course missile interception test within its territory".... View Source ›

"Key Nations Push Iran Meeting Plan Into Next Month" Global Security Newswire / January 28, 2013 The European Union on Monday said six leading governments had asked Iran to join further discussions in February to address global worries that its atomic activities are geared toward weapons development, Reuters reported.... View Source ›

Michael Winter, "Japan nuclear plant atop likely active quake fault" USA Today / January 28, 2013 An earthquake fault under a nuclear plant in western Japan is "highly likely" active, meaning the two-reactor facility will probably be closed permanently, a panel of experts reported Monday.... View Source ›

Noga Tarnopolsky, "Israel dismisses reports of blast at nuclear plant in Iran" Global Post / January 29, 2013 JERUSALEM — A senior Israeli official has dismissed reports published over the weekend that there was an explosion at an Iranian nuclear facility last week.... View Source ›

January 28, 2013

"Iran Offensive Still Possible, Israel Says" Global Security Newswire / January 25, 2013 Armed force cannot be ruled out as a possible means of curbing Iranian contested atomic activities, two Israeli leaders said on Thursday in comments reported by Agence France-Presse. "There will be more attempts to try and negotiate, but there will always be in the horizon a military option, because if the Iranians think it's only economic and political, they won't pay attention," Israeli President Shimon Peres said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.... View Source ›

"Iran Rejects Report of Blast at Nuclear Site as Propaganda" Bloomberg / January 28, 2013 Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization said a report of a blast at its Fordo nuclear site was “absolutely incorrect,” the Islamic Republic News Agency reported.... View Source ›

Liat Clark, "Satellite images reveal North Korea could launch nuclear test in weeks" Wired.co.uk / January 28, 2013 North Korea will be ready to launch a nuclear test "in a few weeks or less", according to a US organisation that analyses activity in the secretive state.... View Source ›

"India's nuclear-capable missile test reportedly successful" Associated Press / January 27, 2013 An Indian news report says India has successfully tested a medium-range, nuclear-capable ballistic missile fired from an underwater platform in the Bay of Bengal. ... View Source ›

"Iran and world powers need to stop bickering - Russia" Reuters / January 28, 2013 Global powers and Iran should "stop behaving like little children" and agree a date and place for new talks on Tehran's nuclear programme, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday.... View Source ›

Chris Schneidmiller, "U.S. Prepares Airborne Nuclear Forensics Tool" Global Security Newswire / January 25, 2013 The U.S. Air Force and a major national research laboratory are collaborating to deploy a new airborne tool for identifying the origin of a nuclear bomb after detonation.... View Source ›

"Ex-U.K. Defense Chief Says Constant Nuclear Patrols Not Needed" Global Security Newswire / January 25, 2013 Ex-British Defense Secretary Desmond Browne on Thursday said the United Kingdom no longer needs to have nuclear-armed submarines deployed at all times amid a fierce debate on renewing the country's ballistic missile fleet, the Scotsman reported.... View Source ›

January 25, 2013

"IAEA to Israel: Iran nuclear row must be solved peacefully" Reuters / January 25, 2013 UN nuclear chief says the Agency is committed to "dialogue" with Iran, seeks deal with Iran on stalled investigation, stresses importance of successful conference on Mideast free of nuclear and other WMDs.... View Source ›

"Kerry says Iran must come clean on nuclear program" CNN / January 24, 2013 Sen. John Kerry, the president's nominee for secretary of state, put America's anxiety over Iran front and center during his confirmation hearing, saying the "questions surrounding Iran's nuclear program" must be resolved.... View Source ›

"China urges resumption of Iran nuclear talks" Xinhua / January 25, 2013 China on Friday called for a resumption of the six-nation nuclear talks with Iran, noting China has been holding a flexible and open attitude toward the venue of the talks. "China has always believed the content of talks is far more important than the venue," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a routine press conference.... View Source ›

"N.Korea threatens South if it supports UN sanctions" USA Today / January 25, 2013 BEIJING — North Korea warned Friday it will take "strong physical countermeasures" against South Korea if Seoul takes part in U.N. sanctions aimed at punishing Pyongyang for the rocket launch. "Sanctions mean war and a declaration of war against us," the Committee for Peaceful Unification of the Fatherland said in a statement carried by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency. ... View Source ›

"China repeats call for calm in North Korea dispute" Reuters / January 25, 2013 China called again on Friday on all parties involved in the dispute over North Korea's rocket and proposed nuclear weapons test to remain calm and avoid any actions that could increase tension.... View Source ›

Elaine M. Grossman, "U.S. Military Could Redefine Global-Strike Weapons" Global Security Newswire / January 24, 2013 WASHINGTON -- The U.S. military is weighing a redefinition of what constitutes a “prompt global strike” weapon, and the result could be to expand the kinds of conventional arms available to hit targets on short notice virtually anywhere around the world, according to defense sources.... View Source ›

"Secret nuclear facility closed in Britain due to safety fears" Guardian News & Media 2013 / January 25, 2013 A top-secret plant at Aldermaston that helps to enrich uranium for Britain’s nuclear warheads and fuel for the Royal Navy’s submarines has been shut down because corrosion has been discovered in its “structural steelwork”.... View Source ›

January 24, 2013

Choe Sang-Hun, "North Korea Vows Nuclear Test and Threatens U.S." The New York Times / January 24, 2013 SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea vowed on Thursday to launch more long-range rockets and conduct its third nuclear test, saying that it would build up its capability of striking the United States after the United Nations’s expansion of sanctions against North Korea.... View Source ›

"China urges restraint after N. Korea nuclear threat" Agence France-Presse / January 24, 2013 North Korea's sole major ally China urged "all relevant parties" to show restraint Thursday after Pyongyang said it planned to carry out a third nuclear test and more rocket launches aimed at the US. "All relevant parties should refrain from action that might escalate the situation in the region," foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters in Beijing.... View Source ›

"Japan faces nuclear shutdown for second time since Fukushima" Reuters / January 24, 2013 Japan may face a total nuclear shutdown in the summer for the second time since the March 2011 Fukushima disaster as the country's two operating reactors close for maintenance and tough new safety checks keep the rest of the fleet offline.... View Source ›

""Nuclear Iran" is "approaching": Kissinger" Xinhua / January 24, 2013 Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger warned Thursday that a "nuclear Iran" is "approaching" and urged relevant stakeholders to decide how to respond sooner rather than later. "For 15 years, the permanent members of the Security Council have declared that a nuclear Iran is unacceptable, but it is approaching," the veteran former architect of US foreign policy told a meeting at the annual World Economic Forum (WEF).... View Source ›

"Russia Presses Iran to Expedite Steps on U.N. Nuclear Probe" Global Security Newswire / January 24, 2013 Iran should hasten moves to cooperate with U.N. authorities seeking to investigate allegations of nuclear weapon-relevant experiments conducted by the Middle Eastern nation, Russia's top diplomat said on Wednesday.... View Source ›

"Egypt criticizes countries with nuclear weapons for failing to disarm" Agence France-Presse / January 23, 2013 Egypt on Wednesday criticized countries possessing nuclear weapons for not having taken serious steps toward disarmament, despite the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons.... View Source ›

"South Korea to Attempt Space Launch Next Week" Global Security Newswire / January 24, 2013 South Korea next week will make another attempt to send a long-range rocket into space -- a technical feat that has implications for the development of far-reaching ballistic missiles and that has already been achieved by rival North Korea, Agence France-Presse reported.... View Source ›

January 23, 2013

Louis Charbonneau, "North Korea to boost nuclear deterrent after U.N. rebuke" Reuters / January 23, 2013 The U.N. Security Council unanimously condemned North Korea's December rocket launch and expanded existing U.N. sanctions, and Pyongyang reacted with a vow to boost the North's military and nuclear capabilities.... View Source ›

"Iran proposes Egypt as venue for nuclear talks with world powers" AP / January 23, 2013 TEHRAN, Iran — Iran has proposed Cairo as a venue for restarting talks with the U.S. and other world powers over its controversial nuclear program, the country’s foreign minister said Wednesday.... View Source ›

"Russia Says confident new nuclear talks with Iran will be held" Reuters / January 23, 2013 Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that he was confident six world powers seeking a diplomatic solution to the longstanding dispute over Iran's nuclear program will hold new talks with Tehran, but that a venue had not yet been agreed.... View Source ›

"Benjamin Netanyahu vows to halt Iran's nuclear ambitions" Reuters / January 23, 2013 Benjamin Netanyahu, who has won a narrow victory in the Israeli elections, has vowed to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.... View Source ›

"Russian nuclear energy conquers the world" Pravda / January 22, 2013 Russian nuclear energy demonstrated impressive achievements in the global market "of nuclear services" in 2012. In this area, Rosatom State Corporation wins competition with major Western companies, even though cooperation in the field of "peaceful atom" remains under strong political pressure.... View Source ›

"Work on Bangladesh nuclear plant to start in October" Agence France-Presse / January 23, 2013 DHAKA: Bangladesh will start building its first nuclear power plant by October this year after signing a loan deal with Russia to fund the construction, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced Wednesday. ... View Source ›

"New nuclear plant deal on the pipeline" Anatolia News Agency / January 23, 2013 Turkey has arrived at the last phase of selecting a firm for the second nuclear power plant that will be constructed in the Black Sea province of Sinop, with the competition split between frontrunners between China, Japan and South Korea.... View Source ›

January 22, 2013

"Kashmir Police Publish Nuclear War Survival Tips" AP / January 22, 2013 Officials in Indian-controlled Kashmir are warning residents to be prepared for a possible nuclear war by building build bomb-proof basements and collecting two weeks' worth of food and water.... View Source ›

Rachel Oswald, "U.N. Chief Urges U.S. to Take Lead on Nuclear Test Ban" Global Security Newswire / January 22, 2013 WASHINGTON -- U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Friday explicitly called for the United States to take the lead in ratifying the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.... View Source ›

"China colonel raises nuclear spectre" Sydney Morning Herald / January 22, 2013 A CHINESE military officer has raised the spectre of nuclear weapons and warned Australia not to side with the United States and Japan as a territorial dispute in the East China Sea continues to escalate.... View Source ›

Lucy Hornby, "France says review of China nuclear relations "normal"" Reuters / January 21, 2013 France's Trade Minister Nicole Bricq said on Monday a decision by her country's new government to review the country's nuclear cooperation with China was a regular process and was "normal".... View Source ›

Evan Brandt, "More Powerful Guns May Guard Spent Nuclear Fuel" AP / January 22, 2013 Machine guns may be coming to a nuclear plant near you. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has proposed a rule that would allow security guards to wield machine guns and "enhanced weapons" to guard spent fuel rods being stored at nuclear power plants. The cost of the weapons upgrade, training and background checks envisioned in the NRC rule could cost the industry between $26.5 million and $34.7 million, according to NRC estimates.... View Source ›

"U.S. circulates draft North Korea resolution at UN" Reuters / January 22, 2013 UNITED NATIONS - The United States has circulated a draft resolution to the U.N. Security Council that would condemn North Korea for its December rocket launch and calls for tightening existing U.N. sanctions, diplomats said on Monday.... View Source ›

Diane Barnes, "Deadlock Persists on Iran Nuclear Probe" Global Security Newswire / January 18, 2013 WASHINGTON -- No deal emerged from talks this week to open the door for a U.N. probe into allegations of nuclear-weapon activities in Iran, the International Atomic Energy Agency's top delegate to the session said on Friday.... View Source ›

January 18, 2013

"No deal in U.N.-Iran nuclear talks, new meeting scheduled" Reuters / January 18, 2013 U.N. nuclear inspectors returned from Iran on Friday without securing an agreement to investigate suspected atom bomb research, they said after two days of talks in Tehran.... View Source ›

"EU Urges 2013 Conference on Mideast WMD-Free Zone" Global Security Newswire / January 18, 2013 WASHINGTON – The European Union on Thursday called for a hoped-for conference on establishing a WMD-free zone in the Middle East to take place as early as possible this year.... View Source ›

"Belarus to get nuclear station architectural design in H1 2013" Belarusian Telegraph Agency / January 18, 2013 The architectural design for Belarus’ first nuclear power plant will be submitted for examination to Belarus in H1 2013. The information was released by Mr Alexander Andreyev, Head of the State Environmental Assessment Office of the Belarusian Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Ministry, BelTA has learned.... View Source ›

Elaine M. Grossman, "Laser Enrichment License Approval Stands at Nuclear Agency Deadline" Global Security Newswire / January 17, 2013 WASHINGTON -- Federal approval for the energy consortium GE-Hitachi to produce nuclear fuel through a controversial state-of-the-art laser enrichment process could soon be sealed, as Thursday marks the last day on which the Nuclear Regulatory Commission could act to revisit a September recommendation on the project.... View Source ›

David Gilbert, "Stuxnet Attack on Nuclear Plant Forced Iran to Strengthen Cyber Capabilities" International Business Times / January 18, 2013 The US-Israeli backed cyber-attack known as Stuxnet, which targeted Iran Natanz nuclear facility forced Iran to strengthen its cyber capabilities according to a US general.... View Source ›

Diane Barnes, "Energy Department IG Urges Action to Preserve U.S. Atomic Assets" Global Security Newswire / January 18, 2013 WASHINGTON -- The United States must reform several oversight practices to avoid potential lapses that could lead to the elimination of "irreplaceable" materials tied to its nuclear complex, the Energy Department inspector general said in findings made public this week.... View Source ›

"Proposed New Nuclear Reactor At Fermi Plant Clears Hurdle" AP / January 17, 2013 FRENCHTOWN TWP. (AP) - The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has found that environmental concerns are not significant enough to halt the construction of a proposed new reactor at the Fermi plant in Monroe County.... View Source ›

January 17, 2013

"Iran, IAEA Launch Discussions in Tehran" Global Security Newswire / January 16, 2013 The International Atomic Energy Agency and Iran on Wednesday launched the latest in a series of discussions intended to establish terms for the U.N. nuclear watchdog to investigate longstanding uncertainties over possible nuclear weapon-relevant activities in the Middle Eastern nation, Agence France-Presse reported.... View Source ›

"Russia says seeking agreement on nuclear talks with Iran" Reuters / January 17, 2013 Russia says it is working hard to firm up plans for a new round of talks between global powers and Iran over Tehran's nuclear programme, which the West suspects is aimed at developing nuclear weapons capability.... View Source ›

"Russia Conducts Simulated Missile Launch" RIA Novosti / January 16, 2013 The Central Command Post of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces (RVSN) conducted a simulated missile launch on Wednesday in the presence of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the Defense Ministry said.... View Source ›

Douglas Guarino, "Watchdog Groups Add to Legal Criticism of Nuclear Waste Review" Global Security Newswire / January 16, 2013 WASHINGTON – Watchdog groups who successfully sued the Nuclear Regulatory Commission last year are pushing back against industry efforts to expedite an NRC review of the potential impacts of leaving radioactive waste at nuclear power plant sites indefinitely.... View Source ›

"China welcomes Iran's nuclear weapon ban stance" People's Daily Online / January 17, 2013 China said on Wednesday it welcomes and attaches importance to Iran's latest stance of banning development of nuclear weapons.... View Source ›

Sam Lagrone, "Secret Nuclear Redesign Will Keep U.S. Subs Running Silently for 50 Years" Wired / January 17, 2013 The U.S. Navy is betting the future of its submarine force on a secret and revolutionary nuclear drive system that aspires to be more efficient and quieter than anything under the water today.... View Source ›

Chris Schneidmiller, "U.S. Provides Nonproliferation Aid to Myanmar" Global Security Newswire / January 16, 2013 WASHINGTON – U.S. nuclear specialists last week offered in-person assistance to Myanmar's plan to accept greater international scrutiny of any atomic activities.... View Source ›

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