Iran demands closure of UN nuclear watchdog probe
France24
Iran said Sunday there would be no final implementation of a nuclear deal with world powers unless a probe into allegations of past weapons research is closed. The declaration, by a top security official, comes after the head of the UN nuclear watchdog said a report into the possible military dimensions of Iran’s activities would not be “black and white.” Iran has always denied seeking to develop an atomic weapons capability, insisting its nuclear programme is for peaceful energy production and medical purposes only.
North Korea SLBM launch violates U.N. resolution, State Department says
Elizabeth Shim | UPI
The U.S. State Department said any North Korea launch of a submarine-launched ballistic missile is a violation of a United Nations Security Council resolution. Katina Adams, spokeswoman for the Department’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, told Voice of America on Monday the launch and use of ballistic missile technology is banned by a U.N resolution, and urged North Korea to focus on measures that could comply with its obligations and commitments.
Japan eyes greater government role in nuclear fuel recycling
Japan Times
The industry ministry has mapped out revisions for the spent nuclear fuel recycling program that call for stronger government involvement to ensure stable management of the troubled program, it was learned Saturday. According to the outline, a new organization sanctioned and supervised by the government will entrust the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel to Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd., which is owned jointly by electric power companies.
Upgraded Tu-160M2 Bomber to Get Brand New Weapons Control Systems
Sputnik News
Russia’s Tupolev Tu-160M2, a modernized variant of the legendary Tu-160 supersonic strategic bomber, is expected to become “an entirely new aircraft,” with all-new components more than doubling its effectiveness. Now, developers involved in the plane’s modernization have announced that they will be installing brand new weapons control systems. The Tu-160, nicknamed the ‘White Swan’ by its developers, was the last strategic bomber developed and produced in the Soviet Union, with small parties delivered to the Soviet Air Force beginning in mid-1987.
Westinghouse CEO wants next-generation nuclear reactor
WTAE
Westinghouse Electric Co.’s CEO Danny Roderick in January challenged his employees to come up with the next big thing in nuclear energy -- the next generation reactor. It had been a very long time since such words were uttered at the Cranberry-based nuclear company. “His charter was to take a clean sheet approach and come up with the most economic (option),” said Cindy Pezze, chief technology officer. The central question was: “How can we get to a more economic future for nuclear?”
6 Reasons why Australia Won’t get Nuclear Weapons
Michael Clarke, Stephan Frühling, Andrew O’Neil | National Interest
Christine Leah and Crispin Rovere argued in their recent article that “In a high-intensity conflict between the United States and China, it is conceivable that China may target Australia with long-range nuclear missiles as a step up the escalation ladder,” and that “[i]n this eventuality, extended nuclear deterrence would hardly be credible.” From this tautology—because in case of an attack, extended deterrence would of course have failed—they deduce that the “most effective means” for Canberra to dissuade Beijing from such an escalatory step, and to assist the United States in Asia, is to “develop or acquire its own reliable long-range nuclear deterrent.”