Brussels Attacks: Bombers Filmed Nuclear Researcher, Expert Says
Nancy Ing and Alexander Smith | NBC News
The brothers behind this week's Brussels bombings also spied on a top nuclear researcher and hoped to build a so-called "dirty bomb," an expert involved in a probe into ISIS threats told NBC News on Thursday. Khalid and Ibrahim El Bakraoui were responsible for planting a hidden camera outside the Belgian researcher's house, according to Claude Moniquet, a French former intelligence official who was hired to investigate potential plots targeting Europe's nuclear sector.
North Korea Claims Rocket Engine Success; South Korea on High Alert
Jack Kim | Reuters
North Korea successfully tested a solid-fuel engine that boosted the power of its ballistic rockets, state media reported on Thursday, as South Korea's president ordered the military to be ready to respond to the North's "reckless provocation". Pyongyang's claim indicates it is continuing to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at a rapid pace in defiance of U.N. sanctions, and amid assessment by the South's officials that it could conduct a new nuclear test at any time.
Nuclear Growth Revealed In China's New Five-Year Plan
World Nuclear News
China's operating nuclear generating capacity will double over the next five years under the country's latest Five-Year Plan. The plan also calls for the preparation for construction of inland nuclear power plants and work on a reprocessing plant to start by 2020.
What Cost A Nuclear Deterrent? Britain Doesn't Know Yet
Elizabeth Piper | Reuters
Britain's defense ministry has not yet established the overall cost of replacing and maintaining its aging nuclear weapons system, it told Reuters, prompting opposition charges of mismanagement of a mega-project expected to be given the go-ahead this year.
In response to a request by Reuters about an estimate of the total price tag for the new Trident submarine fleet - Britain's sole nuclear weapons system - the ministry said it was still working on "policy options" and gave no overall figure.
Govt Needs To Thoroughly Explain Nuclear Fuel Cycle Project To U.S.
Japan News
The nuclear fuel cycle project, which reuses spent nuclear fuel from nuclear power plants, is the main pillar of Japan’s nuclear power policy. In view of the serious energy situation, it is essential to make efforts to win understanding on this issue both at home and abroad. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Countryman has raised doubts over Japan’s nuclear fuel cycle policy, stating at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, “I would be very happy to see all countries get out of the plutonium reprocessing business.”
Atomic Material Smuggling Racket Busted, Rajasthan ATS Arrests 6
Anil Sasi | Indian Express
An anonymous tip-off has helped the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Intelligence Bureau and Rajasthan Police’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) join hands to bust a mineral smuggling racket that involved exports of beryl — an atomic mineral ore of Beryllium — to China.
About 31 tonnes of beryl is learnt to have been recovered after the smuggling plan was subverted by the DAE, which received information on the illegal export of beryl through the anonymous letter early in January. Following this, the IB was alerted.